With thousands – or in some cases millions – on the line in events that can be played around the world, it is no shock that players want to be as relaxed and calm as possible when sitting at the table. Music is one of the many ways that they will look to utilize in order to try and maintain themselves and their emotions while in the middle of a high-stakes game.
You would be forgiven if you thought poker players wanted to limit any external noises in order to improve their game. While this statement is true, there are many that will actually place headsets or headphones within their ears and listen to music while they participate in tournaments.
Nonetheless, there are a number of professional players who follow this technique and have used it to their own personal advantage. It does beg the question, though: What type of music would a professional poker player be listening to while playing? Is it the same for everyone?
Why music has become important in poker
As highlighted, music can be used as an effective tool to keep emotions in check. Players at the poker table need to be calm and collected at all times, emotionally and mentally. Listening to certain types of music can help individuals to achieve this, as the right type of music can help them stay focused, reduce stress, and optimize their performance.
There are many that have spent a lot of time creating the right playlists and devising which order tracks should come in. Poker players can be meticulous in their preparation and their strategies. Music simply plays its part and can help individuals to adopt certain practices, especially when they are in the middle of a high-pressure tournament with a lot of money on the line.
What type of music is traditionally listened to by poker players?
If you are wondering what type of music is being listened to by professional poker players, there is no right or wrong answer. As each player around a table is unique, they are all likely to have their own preferences about what kind of tracks they want to listen to.
While some will opt for electronic dance music (EDM) because of the fast beat and uptempo sounds that can be experienced, some who play online poker long tournaments (MTTs) may like to listen to music that is without lyrics. For instance, many like instrumentals and classics, as these can have a calming effect on the brain, thus encouraging a clear mind that can then potentially make better decisions. Other players may opt for white noise or natural sounds because it can help them to keep calm and focused. Basically, whatever a person finds helpful in being calm, they may ultimately listen to at a poker table.
Can music provide players with other benefits at the poker table?
Professional poker players know that music helps maintain an atmosphere of calmness and relaxation during gameplay, yet there may also be additional advantages of listening to music while playing poker.
Music can help players avoid potential distractions such as chatter or noise that occurs away from the table, which could potentially interfere with decision-making and result in bad choices being made. At the same time, listening to tracks that give confidence boosts helps increase morale and boost performance during gameplay.
Music can be key to professional poker players
Although many assume that players would like to sit in silence when they play poker in order to keep a clear mind, there is no denying that music can play an impactful role for professionals when sat at a table.
The use of music can help enhance decision-making as it can keep individuals calm and relaxed with each hand played. However, it is important to ensure the right type of music is chosen, as the wrong soundtrack can actually be harmful to a player’s game. This is why it is important to – and why so many do – take time when devising a playlist and ensuring that it is right for the tournament being played.
