Dress to impress in the poker room
No more hoodies! In today's Saturday Coffee we look at the right attire for the casino to impress your peers (and not get turned away at the door).
What your poker clothes say about you
Some poker players dress to impress...
...others dress to feel comfortable...
...others prefer casual clothes...
...others want to show where they came from...
...some don't give a damn...
...others want to be extravagant...
...and then there's Charlie Carrel.
Poker room dress codes
Every casino has their own rules about dress code. Sometimes the rules are very clear, but there are always rules.
You can be mislead by people who are let in to a casino with informal clothes. Some parts of the casino have informal codes, like the bar or the slots. The rules can often be different at the table games and poker room. It's always a good idea to check on the casino/poker room's website, or make a call, to see what the dress code is before you first visit.
It sucks to be refused entry into a casino because you are too scruffy.
If you are unsure what the dress code terminology on the website means, we have a quick cheat sheet for you, going from most casual to most formal.
Casual
Essentially a non-dress code where you can just wear comfortable things. Some casinos don't accept flip-flops/sandals and also have a no t-shirt policy. Other than that you can wear what you want.
Business Casual
There isn't a clear definition of what is exactly business casual, other than the things normal people wear to work in an office. If you are an online poker player that doesn't mean that you can wear your t-shirt and boxers, just because that is how you work in your "office".
Smart Casual
The same as business casual - it's hard to explain how it looks, but you will know it when you see it. It's a combination between casual, business casual and business dress.
Business
More formal. Business suit and tie. Other options include slacks with a sports jacket and tie.
Semi-formal
Dark suit with long tie.
Formal/Black Tie
James Bond style. This is serious stuff - tuxedo with all the add ons - black bow tie, white dress shirt, an evening waistcoat, and Oxford shoes.
Hopefully you will not have any problem about choosing a proper dress to a casino, which for the most part is smart casual, at least in the poker room.
