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Best of Gary Trask

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Top-10 Gifts for Poker Players

17 December 2007

By Gary Trask

10.) WSOP moneyclip



It's perfect for carrying around all the money that's won at the poker table, or it makes it easier for the player to dig into his pocket when it's time to re-buy. The version found here is stainless steel and is a perfect stocking stuffer.



9.) World Poker Tour Pinball



OK, maybe it's a bit extreme to spend five grand on a pinball machine, so let's brand this as the gift for the "poker player who has everything." The game features a dot matrix in the center of the playfield showing players their hole cards. Players get flop, turn and river cards by making ramp shots. The machine also has the voices and images of Vince Van Patten, Mike Sexton and Courtney Friel.



8.) Card shuffler



This nifty item will help keep any game moving. Most brands shuffle one or two decks of bridge or poker-sized cards. They help reduce wear and tear on the cards while also making sure the shuffle is done fairly and proficiently.



7.) Poker Instruction Video/DVD



There a hundreds on the market with seemingly every poker pro alive attached to at least one of them. One of the better ones on the market is the iAmplify Poker University series with Doyle Brunson and Mike "the Mad Genius" Caro. It has 40 lessons divided into four levels that can all be downloaded onto your computer.





6.) iPod nano



Not only do many top poker pros in the world "tune out" while plying their trade, but this will also enable players to listen to the best poker podcasts out there to help them improve their game. The newest model is 6.5 mm thin and can be had for less than $200.




5.) A copy of the movie Rounders



Hands down, this is the best poker movie of all time. It's got stars (Matt Damon, Ed Norton, John Malkovich), suspense and classic lines ("If you can't spot the sucker in the first half hour at the table, then you ARE the sucker."). It's also got actual footage from the World Series of Poker. Simply put, it's a must for any gambler's movie collection.




4.) Poker chips



This is a no-brainer. There are a variety of options, ranging from the cheap plastic brand to the true clay ones that will make the players on your list feel like they are at the casino. Many kits come with dealer buttons and playing cards. Either way, make sure you include a case that makes it easy to stack and carry the chips from game to game.





3.) Poker table



Nowadays, it just doesn't feel like a real card game unless you are playing on felt. This is another item where there's a wide variety of options and costs. At the very least, make sure the player on your list has a folding table top, which can turn any ordinary table into one right from the Rio.




2.) A copy of Doyle Brunson's Super System



The "Poker Bible" was originally printed in 1978, but has stood the test of time. Brunson is one of the most popular and accomplished players in the history of the game and this book is a must-read for players of all skill levels. There are also contributions from other great names from the game, including Bobby Baldwin, Mike Caro, Dave Sklansky, Joey Hawthorne and the recently deceased "Chip" Reese.




1.) A seat at the World Series of Poker



This is the one gift any poker player would put at the top of their list. Who knows, maybe the person you bankroll will be the next Chris Moneymaker and you can share in their fortune. The 2008 WSOP schedule was just released so it's perfect timing.







Gary Trask
Gary is an expert on all things gambling. The Boston native has worked as a writer and editor for more than 15 years, including a few at Casino City and was a member of the Poker Hall of Fame's Media Committee.

No Limit Hold'em tournaments are a favorite of Gary's, but he also enjoys a night of dealer's choice with a variety of games like Seven-Card No Peek, Guts or Five-Card Draw with a qualifier. In addition to playing cards, another of Gary's interests is golf, a game that allows his two favorite hobbies to collide quite naturally.

Gary Trask Websites:

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