Poker is not about the cards you were dealt. It’s about what you do with the cards you’re holding. The psychological aspect of the game is so great, that players are expected to bring every element of their personality to the poker table - anything to help them gain an advantage over their opponents. Some players resort to chatting or humor in an attempt to better read their opponents, others try to appear intimidating through silence. Some act the part of the pro, while others assume the image of a new-comer. Whether you like it or not, when you’re seated at a poker table your opponents are judging you non-stop. “Everything you do gives out a message to your rivals” is a common poker cliché. And your overall table image is largely influenced by the clothes you choose to wear.

Famous poker players have always been distinguishable by their game style, personal looks and general attitude. Some have also been heavily linked to what they wear, sometimes even starting their own fashion trends. Here is a look at some of the world’s leading poker players, and the fashion statement they bring with them to the poker table.

Phil ‘The Unabomber’ Laak

No discussion about poker fashion is complete, or can even begin, without mentioning Phil Laak, AKA ‘The Unabomber’. Laak earned the unflattering nickname for the hooded sweatshirt and dark shades he wears at the table. To add to his madman look, Laak is also known to tighten the drawstrings on his sweatshirt's hood during large hands. He does so to further hide his face, which is hardly visible to begin with. This is a classic example of a poker player who tries to hide his tells behind his clothes, and, judging by his successful career, does so extremely well.

Johnny Chan – The Classy Pro

Chan, nicknamed the ‘Orient Express’, doesn’t hide his success at the table. He admits he likes to look classy, and once summed up his fashion philosophy in a TV interview with the statement: "You look good. You feel good. You play good". He likes to wear one of his 10 WSOP bracelets to tournaments. Chan is known for keeping a "lucky" orange in front of him on the table, and his lucky colors are black, white and…that’s right, orange. He usually wears Versace silk shirts, worn with Versace slacks. Chan said once that wearing bright shirts makes him feel lucky.

Chris ‘Jesus’ Ferguson

Ferguson has a highly mathematical knowledge of the game. Both his parents have doctoral degrees in math, and he has a P.H.D in computer science. You can see why Ferguson might want to hide that side of his personality at the poker table. He got his nickname ‘Jesus’ on account of his trademark long brown hair and beard. To top it off, he also wears his trademark wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses at tournaments. He has successfully disguised the ‘math geek’ look and his college student past, and turned himself into one of the most recognizable poker players alive.

Scott Fischman – Poker Apparel

Scott Fischman currently holds the title of ‘the youngest player ever to win two WSOP bracelets’. He won the $2,000 H.O.R.S.E and $1,500 No Limit Texas Hold’em tournaments in 2004, when he was only 23. Maybe it’s his young age, but whatever the reason may be, Fischman is a poker-fashion trend setter. He was one of the first players to show up to big tournaments with clothes designed specifically for poker play. These ‘poker apparel’ items include witty T-shirts with poker jive all over them, and specially designed poker hats. Some examples include “I’m bluffing, please don’t call me”, “I got the nuts, call me”, “I hate jacks”, “Nice catch” and the likes.

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