Wearing headphones in live poker.

[beanfacekilla]

I like to listen to my Ipod when I play live. Some people think you are missing info when you jam headphones while sitting at a table. I feel like this about it:

When I am listening to music, I might not hear what people are saying, but I can see their body launguage is amplified as a result. I can still follow the game, and go when it's my turn. All I have to do is look at the chips to see what the bet is. Live play can be very boring. I might not be involved in a hand for a long time. I fold rags. During the time I am just sitting there folding, I observe how people act, not what they say. How they looked before they dragged that huge pot. People watching, but at the poker table, with tunes.

I can't hear what people are saying, but I can clearly see their actions. It's strange but I feel I can get better reads on people when I can't hear them talking. Does anyone know what I'm sayin'?

I only wrote this, because many people play with headphones. Many people also believe that headphones are a bad idea to use while playing live. What do y'all live players think?

Peace.

[madjek]

I've always been surprised they allow headphones while playing. You're not allowed to talk on cell phone during play. With technology today, how can they be sure you're listening to music and not a coach whispering in your ear. Maybe I'm paranoid but if there's a way to cheat, someone will try it eventually. Now I'm not saying at a big tournament where security I'm sure is watching intently, but at some of the smaller tourney's that I play, I wonder if anyone would try something like that. Back to the subject, I prefer not to listen to music while I play, but I'm not a big music person to begin with.

[eberetta1]

I cannot stand the sounds of chips clanging and the smell of cigarettes or even worse the cigars(so manly). You gotta go with what works for you.

Personally, I use one headphone when I am walking in the grocery store listening to music, so I can keep tab of my surroundings. It is so annoying when 10 people at a table have to be interrupted to take care of this one person with headphones who cannot hear the lady shouting for the fifth time, do you want a beverage?

[Dan Abnormal]

I tried and cant do it, lose track of whats happening. Music makes me wanna drink anyways and I never drink when playing live, maybe I should take the advice for online play too.

[beanfacekilla]

I've always been surprised they allow headphones while playing. You're not allowed to talk on cell phone during play. With technology today, how can they be sure you're listening to music and not a coach whispering in your ear. Maybe I'm paranoid but if there's a way to cheat, someone will try it eventually. Now I'm not saying at a big tournament where security I'm sure is watching intently, but at some of the smaller tourney's that I play, I wonder if anyone would try something like that. Back to the subject, I prefer not to listen to music while I play, but I'm not a big music person to begin with.

I am very big on music. Music is one of the greatest things ever. For me it provides clarity in thought, and helps me to see body language.

You make a good point about being able to wear headphones. They will not let you talk on the phone, but headphones are ok. Strange, and a likely security concern. I play at the casino, and you know the eye in the sky is watching everyone. I don't worry to much about other players listening to headphones. I never really considered that people may be able to cheat this way. It would be very difficult at the casino. Only a couple of years ago the casino started permitting headphones at the poker table. It previously wasn't allowed (casinos in Detroit, MI).

Peace.

[Dan Abnormal]

THe last time I played at the cardroom, I swear 3 different people had cells phones out but it was like the were IM'ing others or texting and nobody said a word and I didnt think about it at the time, but they could have some code for whats happening at the table and getting advice.

[Peteyweestro]

Yeah or the person with the headphones could be listening to a partner who can see others hole cards, mmmm i may have to look into this new thing i have thought of !!!!

[fndrbndr79]

They don't allow headphones in my home cardroom. I think that's fine; we already have to remind people that it's their turn sometimes. Strangely, though, I usually listen to music when playing online, and don't find this troubling, even though I'm playing six tables instead of one.

[beanfacekilla]

Yeah or the person with the headphones could be listening to a partner who can see others hole cards, mmmm i may have to look into this new thing i have thought of !!!!

Well that is a good point, but nobody would ever see mine. There is no way you could see my hole cards, unless I showed them to you. I only look at them once, and I protect them when I look that one time. No way could anyone see but me. Peace.

[Alnoble]

I sometimes listen to music when online especially when it's going to be a long MTT at PS 4 or 5 hours. It stops me getting bored and playing silly cards.

I also use headphones to listen to music at work when I'm typing up specifications or documenting my code it helps me focus as I find paper work boring.