I saw a pro say don't use a card protector in a video the other day but he didn't say why. Sometimes i take a silver coin with me and use it as a card protector should I not be doing this is so why?

A card protector can project an image that you are more of a rec player or that you might even be supersititious. But then again, a fishy image can be very helpful.

I can't think of any good reason why card protectors in general are a bad thing. I have seen some that were not good ideas(ones that look like poker chips are bad, for example). If you tend to fidget when nervous, they can be a tell. but overall, I don't see any issues with them.

I don't see any issue with a silver coin, especially one with decent size and weight

Card protectors don't actually protect your cards; I recommend a firm grip.

There are 2 kinds of card protection.

The first is anything at all. Just some object, such as a chip for example, sitting on top of your cards. This is a visual cue to the dealer that your cards are live. This will help against your cards getting accidentally mucked.

The second kind physically protects your cards. So you need a heavy object. I use a 2" wide thick steel disc. Now if your cards actually get bumped or touched it can actually hold them in place, so it's a little better than just visual.

As mentioned, your hand can serve well for both purposes. Just don't be that azzhole that keeps your card hidden under your hands. No one will know when you have cards and it's really annoying. Leave your cards sticking out noticeably. This isn't very practical though since you always have your hands occupied while in a hand.

There isn't any stigma one way or another. It doesn't make you an amateur rec player any more than Tiger Wood's animal head cover on his driver makes him one, or Bubba Watson's big pink dot on his golf ball makes him one.

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Probably a decent idea to have one if you are in the seat next to the dealer. Sooner or later they will accidentally muck your cards if you don’t have them protected.

Just hold your cards with your thumb and one or a few fingers. No card protector is going to perform as well as this. If other cards touch yours they can be declared dead anyways, at least your hand can be used as a shield. Also it saves others the time of you having to grab that thing, then get your cards and put the thing back on if you want to look at your cards or fold.

And to be frank, having one looks ridiculous and douchey.

^^ As a card-protector-carrying OMC in the form of a one ounce coin, one could say the same thing about Post #7.

With somewhat more accuracy IMO.

Yeah the only downside to a card protector is some folks telling you (or thinking) that you don't look cool if you use one. Wow I would sure hate to not look cool at the poker table.

If you play low-stakes where it's beneficial to keep everyone at the table having fun and enjoying themselves, card protectors can be conversation-starters. Mine, surprisingly (not!), is a coin with the Colts horeshoe on it, and any opportunity to start talking about the NFL usually is a good thing at least in the USA. One guy had a big coin with a US Marines logo on it - got good table talk going.

Plus the bit about not functioning as a protector as well as hands and taking up unnecessary time.