Why do players at WSOP final tables always have backpacks?
In the videos, when they get busted out, they always take their backpack.
I used to think it was semi-lame as well, but now I take a little like 10 inch by 4 inch fanny pack-ish bag with me when I go play cash.
I put my car keys, charger, mint/gum, wallet, casino chips, maybe a granola bar, aspirin, chapstick, lotion maybe, etc.
I feel fine carrying it around the casino, but if I go anywhere else I never would. Though I think to myself, "You know a bag [purse] for all my crap would be nice actually"
Poor food options at the WSOP its better now since it moved from the Rio but still not great. Don't need a backpack at the Venetian can order food to the table and easily get stuff on breaks. WSOP you need some supplies on you hence the backpack, my take on it anyway.
Need a place to store your diaper in case you feel the urge to **** yourself at the final table.
Where else you hide your gun if things go south
Everyone knows if you're all in and facing slim odds, standing up and putting a backpack on works every time to induce the suck out.
YMMV.
Players with backpacks are more prepared and thinking ahead about situations they might encounter, they actually are more likely to make FTs and have higher EV in both MTTs and cash than nonbackpack bringers.
Items that I have had in my backpack and/or satchel while playing live:
Earbuds
Contacts
Eye drops
Nasal spray
Ibuprofen
Antihistamines
Cough drops
Pepto-Bismol
Hand sanitizer
Hand wipes
Chapstick
Poy-Sian menthol inhaler
Vitamins
Band-Aids
Thermometer
Tweezers
Nail clippers
Hair ties
Pencils and pens
Candy
Potato chips
A full box of granola bars
Cans of soda, split between diet and regular
Energy drinks
Prepared foods
A full change of clothes
I've played with only what I had in my pockets and with a full backpack/satchel and the latter makes a world of difference, I'll never go back.
My suitcase when I final tabled in 94…
Spoiler
Anyone bringing nail clippers to a poker table is exactly what is wrong with the world.
I've had them in one of my bags before and I wasn't going to go through the effort to unpack them when there was still a minuscule amount of the time that they might have some utility or purpose.
Multi and B complex, usually. If they were something else I would have said as much.
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People should go read or reread Fossilman's post again. The majority of the non-food items in your bags you wont need while at the tables or away from your room, but when you do need them you're very glad to have packed them.
Due to specific health issues that only a handful of other players that I know of also deal with, the candy, non-diet soda, and granola bars are actually not only the most used, but also the most important items in my bag(s).
How are some people just noticing this now? The term "backpack" to refer to a (usually younger) pro or reg has been around for quite some time.
Where else are they gonna keep their chargers tablet back up tablet sunglasses thermoses so they don't have to tip the waitress etc?
Another issue to consider is time away from the table and action to go stand in line, given the size of the WSOP crowds, or walk to CVS to get whatever. If there is a supply of stuff on hand then blinds aren't missed, my AA knocking out three players and getting bounties aren't passed up, etc.
