Backpack Poker
By PokerCoaching.com coach Matt Affleck
Let’s talk about every poker player’s favorite accessory, their backpack. A staple in the poker room, my backpack allows me to bring my essentials for my ten-hour (or longer) grind. The fact that I do not like playing short sessions makes my backpack even more important to me because I will be in the casino for long hours, especially during tournament series like the WSOP. I will share some of the key items I bring and hopefully give some of you some ideas for your next tournament series.
Mints – I am addicted to Altoids, I am much more of amint person then gum person.
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$1 Bills – I always keep tipping money handy. Forexample, for the WSOP, I will get 100 $1 bills at the bank and keep them in aseparate pocket that I can easily get to for tipping. This makes it so mucheasier than asking for change all the time.
Charging Cables /Portable Charger – I need to make sure to keep electronics charged, butdon’t use them at the table! Make sure you are staying focused on poker.
Cigars and Poker have always gone together, and for that reason the cigar company CAO made this carrying case. The CAO Poker Bag provides everything needed for a night of Poker - chips, cards, dice and cigars (not included) all in one humidor bag. The ballistic nylon CAO Poker Bag.
Mbw Backpack Poker
Medicine – I keep a little baggie of medicine in mybag. Advil, Cough Drops, Tums, Zantac (heartburn). Basically, anything I mayneed so I don’t have to spend $5 for one pill at the gift shop.
Players Cards – I have a separate spot in my bag withall my players cards for various casinos. I don’t have to worry about packingthem as I always have them with me.
Snack Bag – I keep a giant Ziploc bag filled withsnacks for the week. I keep teas, Protein Powder, cashews and almondspre-portioned, and protein bars. I always want to be able to satisfy any hungerissue with a quick healthy snack. This also saves me a lot of money throughoutthe week.
Four SigmaticMushroom Coffee – I lovethese instant coffee mixes. They contain Lion’s Mane and Chaga, which issupposed to help with cognitive function. It is low caffeine but still keeps meenergized, but also calm at the same time. I keep a bunch of them in my snackbag. You can order them on Amazon as well.
Fat Fuel Coffee –This is basically Bullet Proof Coffee in a powder form. It contains grass-fedbutter, MCT oil, Coconut oil powder, Instant coffee. This a great snack thatfills me up and helps keep me energized throughout the day. Here are a couple of photos of what my snack baglooks like. Everything in one place so I don’t have to dig around my backpacklooking for the last instant coffee packet.
Here is a photo of what my snack bag looks like. Everything in one place so I don’t have to dig around my backpack looking for the last instant coffee packet.
Bose Headphones – I feel like it is much easier for me to focus with these on. While I try my best to play without them, sometimes there are too many distractions. The Amazon room in the Rio can be an extremely loud and distracting room with microphone announcements, yelling from final tables, etc. My headphones help me zone in and block out some of the distractions. Most of the time when I have them on, I don’t have music playing. I still want to be able to hear all the conversations at the table. I think of them like horse blinders. They help me focus on my table and ignore the noise outside.
Ipad / Kindle –While I almost never use these while playing (AVOID DISTRACTIONS!), I alwayscarry these with me for dinner breaks. I almost always bring my own food andhead to a quiet place to eat dinner. I will relax and watch some Netflix orsome tv on my ipad on break to help zone out and get ready for the rest of theday.
Notebook – I keepa small notebook for various things to write down. I record hands for makingPokerCoaching.com quizzes. I record hands that I was unsure on how I playedthem for later review. Every break I journal how the day is going to help clearmy mind of any lingering thoughts. Having this notebook is essential for me.
Shaker Bottle- I bring this with me to refill withwater so I am not consistently getting water bottles form the waitresses. Thisalso allows me to mix my Fat Fuel and protein shakes.
Thermos FoodContainers- I am a big fan of packing my own food for the day whenpossible. For the WSOP, since I live in Vegas, every morning I will pack my ownfood. I meal prep for the entire week, normally grilled chicken and groundturkey, but I will mix up my proteins. Essentially, I make my own chipotlebowls with chicken, veggies, cilantro, lime, and salsa, and pack them in aThermos. I will have 2-3 Thermos packed for the day. Combine this with my snackbags, and I am almost never spending any money at the Rio. They keep my foodfairly warm, but I am not too picky on the temperature. They do a good jobkeeping it at a reasonable temperature for up to 8 hours.
Hand Sanitizer – Casinosare disgusting. I use this as much as possible.
That’s it! Nothing to crazy, but this is what I live off offor 10 hours a day while at the Rio. The most important thing to me is probablymy Thermos and meals. I hate eating out every day and spending that money.Also, I am weak when eating out when it comes to picking healthy food. When Ieat at home, I eat fairly clean and keep a decent diet. Eating out is my weaknessand when I first begin to slip, so this is important to me during the summerwhen I am home very little.
Backpack Vibrating Poker
What other things do you keep in your backpack? I am alwaysopen to suggestions for new things I should be carrying around.
Pokerstars Backpack
Best of luck at the tables!
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Backpack For Poker Players
Be sure to check back next week for another educational blog post. Thanks for reading!