World's Weirdest Poker Novelties
7 years ago
22 Jul
For anyone who thinks we are not influenced by the endorsements from famous people when we shop for items, I have two words for you - Air Jordan. Since the 1990’s, basketball and sports fans have bought the shoes promoted by Nike that Michael Jordan made famous playing for the Chicago Bulls as he dominated his sport. Millions bought the shoes and, knowing this would occur, Nike paid Michael Jordan millions of dollars to advertise them. Customers knew they could not play ball like Jordan, but they had his shoes! They felt associated with him and they liked it.
We could spend thousands of words discussing why this is the case, but we know everything from David Beckham’s latest haircut, a new Justin Bieber tattoo and, for the purpose of this article, the various weird items associated with poker can benefit from a neatly placed advert or endorsement.
Unfortunately not every advertising endorsement really works. Some items are just out of place and weird. You might never buy them, but let’s take a lighthearted stroll through the far reaches of the internet to see some items you can buy, mock, or avoid in the poker market. It’s your choice!
Football Shaped Playing Cards
Props to the pokerpreneur (My word for a poker entrepreneur) who decided to mesh poker and Football (Soccer to you Americans out there). Not so much in America, but over in Europe and elsewhere around the world, everyone seems to love Football, so having playing cards in the shape of Footballs is a great idea right? I’m not so sure, but on eBay they are advertised as the perfect gift idea for the party bag filler and ideal fun for all the family.
The next time I go into the casino I will ask if they have Football shaped cards and tell them cards are really no fun without them. As I’m escorted from the premises I will try and explain that it was a joke. Oh, they are plastic coated too, in case you need convincing!
Seattle Seahawks Challenge Poker Coin
I don’t know where to start with this one. It is not supporting the Seattle Seahawks, that is weird, but the concept of a challenge coin branded as a poker coin. The Amazon sales page describes the origins of the coin as follows:
Commanders awarded them to soldiers to recognize an important contribution to the unit. The coins became sought after as they represented COURAGE and HONOR having "done the job" for his unit, his teammates. As they became popular an additional use was discovered. When a soldier greets a fellow unit member in a social setting, he slaps his coin down and the challenge is made -if the unit member does not produce his own coin - he buys! But if he meets the challenge and slaps his coin down, then he enjoys a free beverage and another bond of PRIDE and FRIENDSHIP is celebrated.”
I note that if you have no time to earn one, you simply buy a coin online. Many poker players use them as card protectors, which is fine of course, but I just think the concept is a quirk of the Seattle area. The concept seems to be popular as there is a range of Seattle products on offer so people must be buying them!
Vegas On The Course Golf Game
If you regularly read Daniel Negreanu’s poker blog you will know of his love of golf. Jaime “Pokerstaples” Staples was also a scratch golfer as I discovered in my recent video interview with him. Gamblers love golf, so it’s only natural a product appeared that links the two sports together!
The “Vegas on the course golf game” exists to give you the Vegas feel whilst out on the course. Whiele giving flexibility to the players to modify the rules, the game creators recommend you use them as follows:
It begins by golfers agreeing on values for the poker chips before teeing off on the first hole. Each player begins the round with no chips. Golfers want the positive chips and want to avoid the negative chips. The player that has the game hands out the chips as they are earned. The payoff is determined by the last golfer holding the chip at the end of 18 holes. The game can take place over 18 holes or be broken into 9's. Lots of laughs are to be had!”
I don’t doubt it can be fun, however, I find my handicap of three (my swing, stance and putting!) means I must concentrate my efforts on getting around the course without losing my golf balls rather than lose my focus on side games.
Kiss My Ace T-Shirt
I would be proud to wear one of these shirts anywhere and I might have a chance as they go up to size 2XL! This excellent play on words is a bit weird, but I think every reader should buy one as when I looked at it, I just thought “This is a cool T-Shirt”. It doesn’t need Michael Jordan to wear it, it’s just good! It’s flies close to the edge but I think it’s perfectly acceptable to add to your wardrobe.
I Love My Wife Mug
This mug is great for Valentines day, particularly if you have a good sense of humor. Just make sure your wife does! The mug says in big words “I love my wife”. All together now - awwwww! However, upon closer inspection the smaller words alter the meaning somewhat. “I LOVE it when MY WIFE lets me play poker!” I am sure if you are lucky enough to be married you agree with both statements!
I hope you enjoyed this quick look at a few poker novelty items. There are literally thousands more to choose from that combine good humor, savvy advertising and quirky marketing.
Comments
You need to be logged in to post a new comment