Covering your face at the poker table: Strategic or silly?

[okeedokalee]

Apparently the hands are the best tells and not the face.

 

[gloria_marga]

It's no use hiding your face. A real poker player knows that others can fake their facial expressions.

 

[SPANKYSN]

I don't see the point in covering your face and neck. I understand that your pupils dilate and your Adam's Apple will be visible if you swallow hard, but who can distinguish between those auto responses to a huge bluff versus an absolute monster of a hand. Your body responds to stressors the same way whether good or bad. How many poker players would be able to know? Probably none. So, I don't see the need for any facial or neck covering.

 

[Sparta77]

I'm sorry, but I think it's silly to dress up. A good poker player cuts a poker face.

 

[ironduke11]

some folks can pick up tells from breathing patterns...so i guess it makes sense. Shades are mandatory for me.

 

[redmast]

I don't think that's going to stop me from playing with players like that.

 

[odonob]

The 1937 photo above says it all, silly. It a competitive game, but it is also social. I have played a few live games and found it taken waaay too seriously. Lighten up people! Enjoy the game!

 

[85champ07]

I don't feel inclined to tell someone my opinion at what they are wearing or trying to portray. I understand they have a reason they choose to hide their faces. I would be inclined to wear sunglasses as it kind of portrays a bit of mystery in my play, but I would not be the type to wear a scarf or outright cover my face. Unless they are doing something unusual and not allowed I would tend to just let them focus on how they look, might distract them from the actual game.

 

[SL-247]

I think that this is, in general, stupid, not silly.