From Stu Ungar to Anatoly Filatov: The Evolution of Sunglasses in Poker

Sunglasses have long been a part of poker culture, with some of the game's most iconic players making them a signature part of their image. Stu Ungar, a genius in gin-rammi and tournament poker, was known for wearing sunglasses, although he was not the only one. Johnny Chen used sunglasses to win two World Championships consecutively and reached the heads-up in the third. However, his style evolved, and he eventually switched to darker lenses that hid his pupils' position.

In the early 2000s, online players began to enter offline poker, bringing with them a technical edge but also a fear of being easily read by seasoned pros. Sunglasses became a popular solution, allowing players to conceal their tells. One notable example is Greg Raymer, whose sunglasses became a weapon of attack, intimidating opponents with his 'snake eyes' look. Isaac Haxton, a member of the PokerStars professional team, wore sunglasses when he first entered big poker but now only wears them when he has a toothache.

Marcel Luske, a professional poker player, made sunglasses part of his image, often wearing them upside down. Bertrand Grospellier is rarely seen without his sunglasses, which seem justified given his poker star status. Daniel Negreanu led a campaign against sunglasses, advocating for a dress code that discourages hiding eyes. Andrey Zaichenko stated that he wears sunglasses not out of fear of being read, but to observe opponents without them knowing. Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses became popular in the poker world during the mid-2010s, with many players adopting them. Anatoly Filatov owns eight pairs of Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses in different colors, which he often wears for the ambiance.