Most Useful Poker "Accessories", Least Useful? (2 Viewers)

[MrCatPants]

Those of you that have had a baby know there's some baby accessories that are super helpful, and others that sound cool but are really never used.

So beyond chips, racks, tables, cards - what are the top 3 useful other items, and bottom 3 in your opinion? I'll start.

Useful:
- Tall starting stack tubes for MTTs
- Seating chips for MTTs that also serve as rebuy chips or bounty chips
- Circus game cards that explain the basics of the game

Not useful:
- Various lammers/jetons like all in chips, missed blinds, etc. - have a place in a casino, in a home game are just clutter and one more thing
- Small dealer buttons (no one can see them!)
- Plaques - seem cool in concept, but if used in tourneys makes color ups more of a pain in the ass and they don't store well

What say you?

 

[upNdown]

Racks are extremely useful for counting down chips at the end of the night, IF you have the right racks for your chips - racks that will only hold 20 per barrel.

 

[LeLe]

Useful:
1) Poker Mat (Does that count differently from poker table?) I seem people play poker chip on regular hard surface table
2) Cut Card (For obvious reason, I always bring spare with me)
3) Buyin-Chip (It help for other to visualise how much this person had buy in for as I notice people tend to catch card more when they behind and I will raise/bet more)

Useless:
1) Card Protector (Any Chip will do the same work)
2) Dealer Button (Any Object will do the same work)
3) Hand Ranking Card (Does anyone really use them?)

 

[Taghkanic]

Useful — Bessey Model LHS10 wood clamp for flattening chips

 

[ThinkingFold]

These might be stretching the phrase poker accessories, but top 3s for me.

Useful:
- Two Decks. Only one set of cards slows things down way too much.
- Cut cards. In self dealt games, inexperienced players are always flashing the bottom of the deck.
- Paper towels. Spills are inevitable. Be ready.

Not useful:
- Plaques. I second this, plaques and chips do not mix well together. Everyone needs to accept this.
- Head phones. For the love of god, it's a home game. Do not wear headphones.
- On table timers. It's 2022, use an online tourney director. It's super easy to stream it to a TV or even run it from a laptop.

 

[AnteAndy]

Useful:
-Bourbon.

Not Useful:
-Being sober.

 

[MrCatPants]

These might be stretching the phrase poker accessories, but top 3s for me.

Useful:
- Two Decks. Only one set of cards slows things down way too much.
- Cut cards. In self dealt games, inexperienced players are always flashing the bottom of the deck.
- Paper towels. Spills are inevitable. Be ready.

Not useful:
- Plaques. I second this, plaques and chips do not mix well together. Everyone needs to accept this.
- Head phones. For the love of god, it's a home game. Do not wear headphones.
- On table timers. It's 2022, use an online tourney director. It's super easy to stream it to a TV or even run it from a laptop.

Yeah... I really should have said tournament software in my top 3. Learning to use it (and effectively set it up) really takes the load off when hosting tourneys.

I figured out how to cast to multiple TVs last year and it was immensely helpful for MTTs.

 

[MrCatPants]

Useful:
-Bourbon.

Not Useful:
-Being sober.

I think that's more of a fun/not fun list.

 

[MrCatPants]

Useful — Bessey Model LHS10 wood clamp for flattening chips

I'm still scared to try this. so worried I'm going to ruin things.

I think I'm scarred from once trying to fix a faded hot stamp with a gold pen. Pro tip: it will never look right again if you try that.

 

[Pinesol13]

I agree that various lammers/buttons fall into the category of "sounds really cool, but rarely worth having".

When I'm dealing I've come to the point of using a single button for everything. I keep two STFU buttons next to my stack and use them for all-ins, missed blinds, and to throw at people when they're not paying attention.

Other useful items:
- mini vacuum/dustbuster - I have one stashed under the poker table, has come in handy many times.
- whiteboard - nice to have one on the wall in the poker room. I've written blind levels on it, current high hand, or nasty things about the player/player's mom who knocked me out.

 

[Senzrock]

Useful:

-Pouch or something dependable to keep the money organized
-Related to this - A buy-in tracker for cash games (simple notes app will do but spreadsheets can be nice
-Having everything ready in advance of people arriving (this might be stretching the terminology a bit - but hosting is SO much less stressful when everything is perfectly set up and ready to go when the first player arrives, allowing you to concentrate on chip/buyins. This includes having a reliable tournament clock/software ready to go.
-Dedicated dealer for cash games (just speeds the game up so much - I was skeptical at first but a dealer working for tips is a game changer).


Not Useful:

-Most of mine have already been said -I still have not used any of my plaques, so although they look really cool, I have to agree here that chips are just much better. Maybe I just need to actually give it a try.

 

[MrCatPants]

I agree that various lammers/buttons fall into the category of "sounds really cool, but rarely worth having".

When I'm dealing I've come to the point of using a single button for everything. I keep two STFU buttons next to my stack and use them for all-ins, missed blinds, and to throw at people when they're not paying attention.

Other useful items:
- mini vacuum/dustbuster - I have one stashed under the poker table, has come in handy many times.
- whiteboard - nice to have one on the wall in the poker room. I've written blind levels on it, current high hand, or nasty things about the player/player's mom who knocked me out.

Second the dustbuster. Some suck but we've been really happy with this one

BLACK+DECKER dustbuster Handheld Vacuum, Cordless, 16V (CHV1410L) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006LXOJC0/ref=cm_sw_r_apanp_GTsI92JZH2FxN

 

[MrCatPants]

Useful:

-Pouch or something dependable to keep the money organized
-Related to this - A buy-in tracker for cash games (simple notes app will do but spreadsheets can be nice
-Having everything ready in advance of people arriving (this might be stretching the terminology a bit - but hosting is SO much less stressful when everything is perfectly set up and ready to go when the first player arrives, allowing you to concentrate on chip/buyins. This includes having a reliable tournament clock/software ready to go.
-Dedicated dealer for cash games (just speeds the game up so much - I was skeptical at first but a dealer working for tips is a game changer).


Not Useful:

-Most of mine have already been said -I still have not used any of my plaques, so although they look really cool, I have to agree here that chips are just much better. Maybe I just need to actually give it a try.

Can you talk more about a buyin tracker for cash games? Never done something like that, but also don't have anyone playing on credit. Just always have a consistent process of trading chips for cash at the same time.

 

[Senzrock]

Can you talk more about a buyin tracker for cash games? Never done something like that, but also don't have anyone playing on credit. Just always have a consistent process of trading chips for cash at the same time.

Yeah, so even when everyone pays in cash, I find it very useful to write it all down. Beyond giving me a sense of how much everyone is in for, I make notes in it like "Reggie paid Lisa paypal $200" etc. In our games, after a few buyins, people often run out of cash (others show up simply not bringing any which is super tilting of course). Sometimes, in an emergency, if the pot is light it can be used to track down a glitch in the system. Ultimately though, I think as the host, it gives you an added advantage of knowing how much everyone is up or down, which, if you wanted to, could help inform your decision making at the table. I try not to think of it as unfair advantage, and am not consistently looking at it like that, but with the duties of hosting do come certain privileges

 

[brewdawg]

Yeah... I really should have said tournament software in my top 3. Learning to use it (and effectively set it up) really takes the load off when hosting tourneys.

I figured out how to cast to multiple TVs last year and it was immensely helpful for MTTs.

@MrCatPants can you explain how you figured out to cast to multiple TVs, can send in PM if no one else here is interested

 

[MrCatPants]

Yeah, so even when everyone pays in cash, I find it very useful to write it all down. Beyond giving me a sense of how much everyone is in for, I make notes in it like "Reggie paid Lisa paypal $200" etc. In our games, after a few buyins, people often run out of cash (others show up simply not bringing any which is super tilting of course). Sometimes, in an emergency, if the pot is light it can be used to track down a glitch in the system. Ultimately though, I think as the host, it gives you an added advantage of knowing how much everyone is up or down, which, if you wanted to, could help inform your decision making at the table. I try not to think of it as unfair advantage, and am not consistently looking at it like that, but with the duties of hosting do come certain privileges

In my online game it's been super helpful to know over time who is winning and how much. Sometimes players will comment on who they think is a tough player/cleaning up and it's surprising how often their perception is different from reality.

 

[MrCatPants]

@MrCatPants can you explain how you figured out to cast to multiple TVs, can send in PM if no one else here is interested

My way may not be the best way.

Chromecast devices plugged into HDMI ports in TV

I use blinds valet (which is web based) in two separate users chrome instances

Cast one to TV 1, the second to TV 2.

Happy to share more privately if you need more info. And someone on here probably has a better way anyway

 

[LeLe]

Can you talk more about a buyin tracker for cash games? Never done something like that, but also don't have anyone playing on credit. Just always have a consistent process of trading chips for cash at the same time.

As the banker for regular, we collect cash/or bank transfer to exchange for chips too but I also give them a counter chip for each 100bb because people keep asking How much they bought in for

For micro stake, usually we just use the counter chips and only settle the outstanding when cashing out as it usually being played with Long time Friend and family alike

 

[Senzrock]

In my online game it's been super helpful to know over time who is winning and how much. Sometimes players will comment on who they think is a tough player/cleaning up and it's surprising how often their perception is different from reality.

Oh yeah, as the admin of a Mavens site, it is really interesting (and sometimes hilarious) to see people comment on winning vs losing players. It's such a privilege to be able to have the backend numbers and see exactly who is a winning/breakeven/losing player. The number of hands seen really allows for you to confirm what you probably already knew about many of the players. If they are a new player you are not familiar with, it helps you identify them for future battles.

 

[inthehiggs]

These might be stretching the phrase poker accessories, but top 3s for me.

Useful:
- Two Decks. Only one set of cards slows things down way too much.
- Cut cards. In self dealt games, inexperienced players are always flashing the bottom of the deck.
- Paper towels. Spills are inevitable. Be ready.

Not useful:
- Plaques. I second this, plaques and chips do not mix well together. Everyone needs to accept this.
- Head phones. For the love of god, it's a home game. Do not wear headphones.
- On table timers. It's 2022, use an online tourney director. It's super easy to stream it to a TV or even run it from a laptop.

+1 on the cut card on the bottom... Might have to start keeping one with me for that at others games. I like the idea of the timer on the table too.

 

[Goldfish]

Nail polish remover. Who knew.

 

[inthehiggs]

As the banker for regular, we collect cash/or bank transfer to exchange for chips too but I also give them a counter chip for each 100bb because people always asking How much they bought in for

For micro stake, usually we just use the counter chips and only settle the outstanding when cashing out as it usually been played by Long time Friend and family alike

I hadn't thought of a counter chip for buy ins... Any particular design you use? I really like this idea.

 

[LeLe]

I hadn't thought of a counter chip for buy ins... Any particular design you use? I really like this idea.

You can just use starburst chip or roulette chip, they work fine as counter chip

 

[inthehiggs]

@LeLe yep... I'm borrowing this idea.

 

[bergs]

Playove boxes always appealed to me aesthetically but even in full meetups they’re just don’t get used.

We’ve used a dealer button in cash games. Zero point.

Cash box is a necessity for larger events.

Love chip tubes for tourneys, makes running one a lot easier.

 

[Taghkanic]

I'm still scared to try this. so worried I'm going to ruin things.

I’ve had no issues… But maybe try it on a barrel you don’t really mind losing.

 

[brewdawg]

My way may not be the best way.

Chromecast devices plugged into HDMI ports in TV

I use blinds valet (which is web based) in two separate users chrome instances

Cast one to TV 1, the second to TV 2.

Happy to share more privately if you need more info. And someone on here probably has a better way anyway

Thanks for the info. That got me started on my path. I will have to work out a way to cast to both monitors eventually, but the chromecast will work for now. My issue is that I am running Tournament Director. So to cast the players screen I have to connect to a monitor, and then cast that to the chromecast. So this will work great for the next tournament. And then I will play with how to cast to both without connecting to one. The issue is the TD screens and how it is setup.

 

[Samuel]

Not useful:
- Plaques - seem cool in concept, but if used in tourneys makes color ups more of a pain in the ass and they don't store well

Not useful:
- Plaques. I second this, plaques and chips do not mix well together. Everyone needs to accept this.

NOW You guys tell me (after I just ordered some custom plaques from BrProPoker!)...

 

[Rieguy]

NOW You guys tell me (after I just ordered some custom plaques from BrProPoker!)...

They store well in @BearMetal's 3D printed and custom containers. You'll see a bunch in the "new media" section.

 

[Highli99]

I think plaques shine as value holders in limit games. That’s where I intend to use mine.

Most useless things are the crappy aluminum cases that chips used to come in.

Another favorite accessory is my racker stackers. Those things are fun!