“Dress for success” is a commonly heard phrase, be it in a board room or at the poker table. But it is not just a buzz phrase; there is actually a lot of truth behind it. According to a study conducted at Yale, dressing well does make you more successful, so the better you dress for poker night, the better your chances of winning.
But why does your outfit play any role in your success? It is because when you dress well, you feel more confident and powerful, which has a positive impact on your mindset as well as your gameplay. It also affects how people view you and the way your opponents play against you.
Let us explore the best outfit choices for mischievous bluff on your poker night.
Dressing for The Win During Poker Night
Poker night outfits depend a lot on the venue as well as who you are playing with. Some venues have dress codes, while some home games might have themes for costumes. But if your poker night does not fall under either of these situations, here is our guide on how to do so.
Playing at Classy Venues
Upscale casinos, often associated with old Hollywood glamor and old money, are in a league of their own. This is where the high rollers and the even rarer whales tend to frequent. So, if you want to fit in and hold on to your confidence at such fancy venues, you are going to have to go all out. This means decking out in full black tie attire.
A black tie dress code involves a white dress shirt with double cuffs and a wing collar, as well as formal black trousers. Make sure the pants are fitted and have a natural taper. Pair this with a black dinner jacket that has buttons, satin lapels, and pockets. If you want to go the extra mile, place a pocket square in your jacket pocket. Complete your outfit with mid-calf black evening socks, patent leather shoes, cufflinks, and a black bow tie. Finally, don’t forget to wear a classy wristwatch with a gold strap along with some elegance.
Table of Contents
Playing with Professionals
When hanging out with the pros, you need to dress the part. Your code with this group might change depending on how fancy the casino is, but you can never go wrong with a well-tailored suit. Wear a dark-fitted suit with a white shirt and a tie. Don’t be afraid of wearing a tie with bold patterns. Pair it with dark loafers and the classiest wristwatch you have to complete your look.
Some professional players like dressing up in a casual hoodie and jeans with sunglasses, headphones, and a hat to make others think they are an ‘internet player.’ This allows other players to undermine them and throws them off their game. Although you can wear a similar outfit, we recommend dressing up in a suit, especially if you are going to be playing at a sophisticated venue. And, hey, it is always better to be overdressed than underdressed anyway.
Playing with Colleagues
Having a round or two with your business colleagues calls for formal attire, but it is not quite a “wear a suit” event. The ideal outfit here would be a business casual outfit. Wear a button-down shirt or a plain polo t-shirt with well-fitted khakis or slacks. Wear smart shoes like loafers, and round out your outfit with an elegant wristwatch. If you want to look extra smart, top up your outfit with a blazer. The main goal here is to look sophisticated while feeling comfortable enough in your clothes.
Playing at Poker Tournaments
Poker tournaments are serious business. You are there to win, meaning you need to dress for success. Now, you might think that wearing a suit or even a tuxedo would be the best option. But you must remember that tournaments run long, especially if you keep progressing to the finals. So, if luck is on your side, you will spend hours together at the poker table. The last thing you would want to do in this situation is wear restrictive clothing. Your head will not be in the game because you will be too focused on how uncomfortable you feel.
The ideal outfit for poker tournaments is smart casual. Wear a collared shirt with comfortable but fitting slacks and smart shoes. If dress shoes feel too restrictive, you can opt for white or black sneakers. But remember only to wear closed-toe shoes. Wearing a plain polo T-shirt instead of a button-down will also do. Accessorize yourself with an elegant wristwatch and some understated but classy rings. If you want to avoid distractions, put on a pair of sunglasses, and you should be good to go.
Playing with Friends
Be it at home or on a staycation, game night with your friends is the perfect time for a casual outfit. Wear a casual shirt or a T-shirt. It can be plain or checkered, but we do not recommend anything too casual unless everyone decides on it as the dress code, i.e., graphic tees or t-shirts with slogans on them. You can pair it with jeans or smart dressy shorts, but athletic shorts, joggers, and yoga pants are a no-go. If you are planning on wearing footwear, opt for sneakers. However, you should not wear flip-flops or Crocs unless you aim to ditch your plans and venture out solo by playing poker at Rooli Online Casino, but in that case, you can walk with your whitey-tighties for all everyone else cares. Just make sure your window blinds are shut.
Jokes aside, a solid tip to remember when visiting a casino is that it is always better to show up as the dressiest person in the establishment than showing up looking like you just rolled out of bed. This means absolutely no flip-flops, crocs, athletic wear, ripped jeans, or graphic tees. Always ensure you are well-groomed before you head out to play poker. And remember, the trick behind dressing for success at poker night is to find the perfect balance between style and comfort.
Image for the article
