British Poker Players

It's that time of year when we are required to exercise our imaginations to find an appropriate present for the special people in our lives. In olden days this entailed hours of misery traipsing through the winter storms and hordes of equally desperate shoppers.

Fortunately we now have the internet to assist us and, as many on-line retailers do not use the Post Office for delivery, we can buy with a reasonable expectation the gifts will arrive before the New Year. With that in mind, here are some helpful ideas on Christmas gifts for a poker player...

A cynic might suggest the best thing you could give a poker player is cash, as many are often broke.

An arch cynic might say the WORST thing you could give a poker player is cash, as they'd likely just gamble it all away. Better, they would say, to pay their rent or buy them food.

All of which is a pretty miserable and unromantic way to approach the joy (or is that chore) of picking Christmas presents for a poker player. Though if all else fails, there's always the gift voucher option at Full Tilt.

To make it a bit easier, here are a few fun options that should fit every pocket.

Poker Table

For the poker enthusiast looking to run his own home game Drinkstuff.com have the perfect present, an awesome dedicated poker table. Available for £299.99.

For those with a more modest budget, their poker table top costs a mere £5.98. Worth it to protect your table from scratches or stains.

Playing Cards

Poor quality playing cards are the bane of any serious poker players life. That pack you bought from the corner shop to play Snap with the kids won't cut it in a proper poker game.

For the authentic professional experience, Kem Playing Cards are widely recognised as the number one brand.

Alternatively, the keen on-line poker player may prefer the internet friendly Copag Four Colour Cards. These mimic the option presented by many on-line poker sites to view cards in four, rather than two, colours.

Books

Many players dedicate themselves to self-improvement. Often through reading strategy books. As this is a fast moving field, and there are many specialisms, it would be impossible to recommend a specific book without knowing more about the games the gift recipient plays. Instead, why not buy them a book that focuses on the rich heritage and culture of the game of poker.

Two classics in this genre are The Biggest Game In Town by Al Alvarez - which tells the story of the World Series Of Poker in the days where the average poker professional was a 60-something from Texas, rather than a 20-something from Sweden – and Big Deal: One Year As A Professional Poker Player which recounts the adventures of author Anthony Holden in his time on the poker circuit.

Computer Game

Poker is not a sport that lends itself greatly to computer games. However for the enthusiast caught on a long plane or train journey, Play.com stocks World Championship Poker: Deluxe Series for the Nintendo DS. As good a way as any to while away a few hours.

DVD

For a bit of fun, there's no harm in shooting for the stars. How To Become A Poker Millionaire costs £10.99 and will surely be the best investment you ever made, if it lives up to the title. Particularly if it's a gift for your husband or wife!

Mobile Broadband

Many poker players will have at some point experienced a strange ritual. A phone ringing in the middle of the night, a familiar voice talking in urgent tones. “I'm on the final table of the £50,000 guaranteed on Betfair and my broadband has died. Can you log into your PC and play it for me!?”

The feeling of dread and despair as several hours hard work – and a possible four or five figure win – slips away on the back of a broken broadband connection, is not an experience to be wished upon any friend.

So, why not guarantee yourself a full night's sleep and buy them the security of a pre-paid mobile broadband dongle. No recurring costs, but a perfect insurance policy against internet crashes. Vodafone offers the fastest connection on the market.

Netbook

Alternatively if they need an ultra portable laptop for playing on-the-road, PC World has the award winning Samsung NC10 for only £269. Seven hours battery life being enough to see out all but the biggest tournaments.

Smart Shirt

Anyone who has visited the poker room of a casino will be painfully aware that poker players are, in general, a scruffy bunch. Why not smarten up their table image with a funky but smart shirt from TM Lewin. Maybe dressing for success will help them up their game and bring home first prize.

Aftershave

One of the great benefits of the UK smoking ban has been that poker players can now enjoy a game without suffering streaming eyes, coughing, or the unpleasant sensation of returning home stinking of other people's smoke.

One of the great drawbacks of the UK smoking ban is the smoke is no longer there to mask the smell of your fellow players. Which, in a game where seating location is mandatory, and you may be sat beside the same person for many hours, can have unpleasant consequences.

Ensure your player is never the Stinking Bishop of the poker room, with some help from Mankind. A particular favourite of mine is John Varvatos.

NB The last two ideas may not be the best suggestions if buying for a boyfriend or husband!

Gift Vouchers

Full Tilt Poker is one of the biggest poker sites in the world, and will supply electronic gift vouchers in denominations from as little as $25 (roughly £15). Buy now and the email will be in your Inbox in minutes. Perfect as the last minute gift for a poker player.