Whether to use a card protector

pat3392 · Jun 1, 2010

Is it generally good to use a card protector? I personally don't use mine since I am not consistent with my body language and fear opponents will be able to pick up on tells with how I use my card protector

Hogger · Jun 1, 2010

I've had someone give their cards a 'flick' towards the middle and his aim was off and they slid right on top of mine. So yes.

WiZZiM · Jun 1, 2010

I just hold them with my left hand, never had a problem... or just throw a couple of chips on. And try to develop a routine, wait till the action hits you, look at your cards, put some chips on them if your going to play them, if not muck. There isnt any way they can pick up much off you if you stick to the same routine.

budebuzz · Jun 1, 2010

You HAVE to protect your cards, doesnt matter how you do it but I like holding them slightly raised above the felt in my finger tips, I mix it up one hand or the other or both pre flop. When its my action I either fold or place a few chips on top as the protector to play. I slightly mix up my routine so I dont have to worry about a tell. The problem with a defined routine is that if you ever get pressured and change something inadvertently somebody will catch it as a tell and then your always worring about messing up your routine.

slycbnew · Jun 1, 2010

The question is pretty basic, so I'm not sure it's clear from the responses: If your cards are not protected, whether by a chip or by a card protector, they can be mucked by mistake. In many (if not all) poker rooms, if you don't have your cards protected, you have no way to reverse the muck.

That doesn't mean you have to use a "card protector" specifically, it can be a chip as WiZZim says.

dj11 · Jun 2, 2010

The best reason to use one IMHO, would be to standardize an action so that it doesn't turn into a tell.

If you are in the hand, the only tell you want to allow is that...well...you are in the hand. If your not in the hand then that is also a tell, and if you make a big deal about NOT being in the hand, then everyone will ignore your 'is he or isn't he?' tellability............

Stick66 · Jun 2, 2010

Some people say "Card protectors are lame. Just use a chip." But what it you go all-in and have no chip?

YouTube- WSOP 2009 - AA preflop in to the muck (dead hand)

Ever since I saw that clip, I don't mind being "lame". My new card protector:

dkeam83 · Jun 2, 2010

i do the same thing everytime i look at my hand. so i don't give out any signals to other players on how i play my cards after looking at them. Easiest way just look at ur cards and put a chip on them.

Mortis · Jun 2, 2010

coolercash said:
I really don't use a card protector when I play because it does have the ability to give away tells to your opponents. If you must use one, just use a chip because this way you will never be all in. I have never seen the absolute necessity with protectors but some like i because it gives them some sort of persona. do what you wish, but the less things to fumble with the better

dkeam83 said:
i do the same thing everytime i look at my hand. so i don't give out any signals to other players on how i play my cards after looking at them. Easiest way just look at ur cards and put a chip on them.

Listen to Mr. Sticker.

Stick66 said:
Some people say "Card protectors are lame. Just use a chip." But what it you go all-in and have no chip?

YouTube- WSOP 2009 - AA preflop in to the muck (dead hand)

PlayerPlayerAA · Jun 2, 2010

I never used one, not even a chip. And I can't recall exactly what happened now, but I lost a hand once, it wasn't major, but I remember others at the table telling me to at least use a chip.
Honestly I'm just to lazy to use a card protecter.
And I personally think, you have less a chance with tells if you are disciplined and busy putting a card protecter on your hand every hand.
I have seen countless dealer mistakes, they are only human, and its not their money.

pat3392 · Jun 2, 2010

Stick66 said:
Some people say "Card protectors are lame. Just use a chip." But what it you go all-in and have no chip?

YouTube- WSOP 2009 - AA preflop in to the muck (dead hand)

Ever since I saw that clip, I don't mind being "lame". My new card protector:

View attachment 28947

omg that was brutal. ok i'm convinced, just need to develop a routine

CasperJames · Jun 2, 2010

I was scolded multiple times by the dealer for not using a card protector the first time I played in a casino. I had no experience playing live other than home games and just wasn't use to putting a chip on my cards. I finally made a point to remember after his 3rd or 4th comment to me.

PC69 · Jun 2, 2010

Sticker pwned here imo. Always something on your cards is a must in any tournament or cash game thats live. One wrong move or hand motion could cost you everything. Regardless of whether its done by you or the dealer. I use one.. Kinda corny but its my Pepere's tie clip. Been doing the job for me since 2001 and its not a inconvience to use. Although it would be a inconvienance at this point to not use it. Just saying

shinedown.45 · Jun 2, 2010

PlayerPlayerAA said:
I never used one, not even a chip.
Honestly I'm just to lazy to use a card protecter.

Do you eat? are you just too lazy to pick up a knife and fork?

My point being; how lazy do you have to be to not be able to put a couple of ounces of material on your cards?
I'm sure it can't be the weight that is holding you back

only_bridge · Jun 3, 2010

Stick66 said:
Some people say "Card protectors are lame. Just use a chip." But what it you go all-in and have no chip?

YouTube- WSOP 2009 - AA preflop in to the muck (dead hand)

Ever since I saw that clip, I don't mind being "lame". My new card protector:

View attachment 28947

Lets say she had a card protector and the same thing happened, then wouldnt the ruling be the same?

Ecomdan · Jun 3, 2010

only_bridge said:
Lets say she had a card protector and the same thing happened, then wouldnt the ruling be the same?

Probably... but the dealer would be disciplined for sure... maybe even fired.

Stu_Ungar · Jun 3, 2010

only_bridge said:
Lets say she had a card protector and the same thing happened, then wouldnt the ruling be the same?

Its less likely to happen if the cards have something visible on top of them that the dealer has to move in order to get to the cards.

Dewmz · Jun 3, 2010

My card protector has double benefits

I use a smooth stone that I bought that has the word "Patience" etched in it.

So not only does it protect my cards, it reminds me to be patient

BelgoSuisse · Jun 3, 2010

Stick66 said:
YouTube- WSOP 2009 - AA preflop in to the muck (dead hand)

Always weird to see that video. She's the wife of the Raymond Domenech, coach of the French national football team. Hopefully they have a little more luck on the field...

witchywitchy · Jun 3, 2010

Too many horror stories of cards mucked to not use some kind of card protector. Like any habit, takes a bit of practice but once learned is done without thought

Its when the habit is ingrained you have to be careful of inadvertent tells cropping up

Jillychemung · Jun 3, 2010

Since I never bothered to learn & practice chip tricks, I use die-cast racing vehicles as a card protector that I roll back-n-forth over my cards while waiting for my turn to act. Allows me to expend some of my nervous energy like the chip trickers do. Plus I'm a little ADD about my chip stacks and not having to 'play' with them is a plus.

only_bridge · Jun 3, 2010

Ecomdan said:
Probably... but the dealer would be disciplined for sure... maybe even fired.

So in conclution, always have a loaded mouse trap as your card protector

Bovinity · Jun 3, 2010

The best part about that video is when she's all, "Hey, my cards!"

And rather than saying, "Oh crap!" or "Oops" or something the dealer just coldly says, "Did you protect your cards?"

Mortis · Jun 3, 2010

Bovinity said:
The best part about that video is when she's all, "Hey, my cards!"

And rather than saying, "Oh crap!" or "Oops" or something the dealer just coldly says, "Did you protect your cards?"

Next time, she should just bring a meat cleaver to the table and if the dealer's hand should come close to her cards, then take a swipe.

I call that "protecting your cards".

Back to that video.... yes, she should have protected her cards, but that doesn't make up for the dealer being incompetent. She was obviously all-in and her cards were right in front of her... the dealer just reached behind her chips and grabbed her cards, which were plainly in front of her. The dealer was a complete moron..... so with that, I have to say, protect your cards from stupid dealers. Some aren't paying attention.. or have been dealing at the table for awhile, and may get sidetracked from being tired.... do something to make sure that your cards don't get accidentally mucked.

Misofer · Jun 3, 2010

I believe you should use at least one chip to protect your cards, a lot of things can happen, you cards can get flip over, the dealer can make a mistake, etc.

By protecting you cards you're protecting your money aswell.

Whether to use a card protector

pat3392

Visionary

Hogger

Rock Star

WiZZiM

Legend

budebuzz

Rock Star

slycbnew

Cardschat Elite

dj11

Legend

Stick66

Legend

dkeam83

Enthusiast

Mortis

Bulls On Parade!

PlayerPlayerAA

Rock Star

pat3392

Visionary

CasperJames

Rock Star

PC69

Legend

shinedown.45

Legend

only_bridge

Legend

Ecomdan

Rock Star

Stu_Ungar

Legend

Dewmz

Visionary

BelgoSuisse

Legend

witchywitchy

Rock Star

Jillychemung

Flying on Asphalt

only_bridge

Legend

Bovinity

Visionary

Mortis

Bulls On Parade!

Misofer

Rock Star

About CardsChat

Our Community

Our Site