How to Pack Your Bag for a Poker Marathon

Poker is back on people’s radar once again. With the World Series of Poker returning to Las Vegas after a one-year wait and in-person venues opening up after a long break, more players are looking forward to getting back to the table and dealing themselves in. With warmer months ahead, there is sure to be a flood of players to casinos and gambling houses across the world.

With mask mandates looking likely to end in the immediate future, more people will feel comfortable not only heading into casinos for the first time in several years but also spending longer in them than before. Like any event, it is important to make sure you’ve got everything you need for a long session at the tables. You don’t want to get caught out without a phone charger, an energy-boosting snack, or your lucky slippers to wear under the table, after all.

Poker-pro Matt Affleck has said that he keeps his backpack with him at the table filled with essentials like mints, cash for tipping at the casino, and any medication he might need to keep him focused on the action. Things like aspirin, cough drops, and heartburn meds can cost an arm and a leg at the casino shop, so it is much preferable to bring them in with you instead. He also recommends having a journal or notebook on you to record hands you want to review later and to just jot down thoughts in breaks to keep your mind clear and focused on the games at hand. All this is essential to his continued success at the game.

Affleck isn’t the only poker professional to carry his supplies with him throughout long tournaments. Even Dan Negreanu can be seen with a bag on his back while making his way to his table. Negreanu is one of the world’s greatest poker players and was seen entering the EPT111 with a bright red backpack full of his supplies for the day, which included things like snacks and drinks to keep himself fed and full of energy throughout the tournament. He is known for being vegan, so he often carries food with him just in case the venue can’t cater to his dietary needs.

With everything that has happened the past few years, it is no surprise that poker professional Matt Stout often carries things like a hand sanitizer in his bag when he hits the tournament floor, plus the all-important charging cables and battery back-up for his phone so he can stay connected when he is in between tables. It is easy to overlook simple things like that, but knowing that your phone is nearly dead can be a stressful distraction, especially if you need it to get back to your hotel or house afterward.

There is a lot that goes into choosing the right backpack for your needs, but poker players have even more to consider with their very specific needs and requirements from them. If you're packing for a poker marathon, it is important to have a bag that is large enough to carry everything you need while also being durable enough to handle a lot of wear. Picking something stylish, that can fit in with the casino crowd, is also important to consider. Thankfully, everything you need to know about how to pick the right backpack is right here on the Popmoca blog.