Best Monitor and Gear for Poker in 2023 – From a Pro Player

Online poker has risen in popularity, with sites like GG Poker even hosting the initial tables of the WSOP tournament (World Series of Poker). Today, online poker is a full-time career, with players having the opportunity to join cash games and tourneys from the comfort of their homes. But to play like a pro, it helps to have the proper monitor setup at home.

The best monitor for online poker is the Dell UltraSharp UP3017. With a 30-inch (76.2-cm) screen and 2560×1600 pixel resolution, this monitor will give you an online poker experience like no other.

If you are looking to switch from live to online poker, or to just have the best possible gear to maximize your results even more, then read carefully.

In this article, I’ll take an in-depth look at this monitor and its specs. I’ll also provide a brief on the best monitors to use for a three-screen setup, along with a detailed look at the additional equipment you should have as an online poker player.

The Best Monitor for Online Poker

As mentioned, the Dell UltraSharp UP3017 (available on Amazon.com) is the ideal monitor for those looking to take their online poker career to the next level. The UltraSharp has a 30-inch (76.2-cm) screen and high resolution, with a much better display than most other high-end poker monitors.

The Ultrasharp also comes with a few connectivity options, including:

• HDMI
• DisplayPort
• DVI-D
• USB Ports

But perhaps the most important feature of this screen is its multi-tabling capabilities. Thanks to the screen size and high resolution, you can set up multiple poker tables simultaneously and easily keep track of what’s going on.

The high-resolution screen makes games more engaging and entertaining, keeping you sharp throughout. And while the Ultrasharp can be a bit pricey, it’s worth the investment if you’re looking to take your online poker career to the next level.

Best Monitors for Multi Tabling in Poker

If you’re taking poker as a serious career, multi-tabling must become a part of your skillset. And while the Dell UltraSharp is effective at multi-tabling, the most effective way to play is to create a three-screen monitor setup.

You could also go with 2 big screens set up, although I found that a bit less useful. It is still possible to spread the tables across 1 and a half screens and leave half of one screen for various tools like hand-tracking software you are running while playing (or browsing the internet, if you want to win less money while playing). In this scenario just get two Dell UltraSharp UP3017 screens. Below I will let you know more a bit more about 3 screen setup.

The additional screens let you shift chat rooms or eliminate distractions from the main screen, allowing you to hone in on what’s truly important during the game. 

The larger screen size also enhances the playing experience, making you more invested in playing to the best of your abilities.

For this three-monitor setup, you’ll need one 30-inch (76.2-cm) monitor in the center with two 20-inch (50.8-cm) monitors on either end. You can use the Dell UltraSharp as the center screen, as it’s at the right height to accommodate the two side monitors I’ll recommend.

Side Monitors

Combining the UltraSharp UP3017 with two Dell 2007FP (available on Amazon.com) monitors would make for the ideal poker setup at home.

The 2007 FP monitors are connected on either side of the main screen, extending the size of the screen and allowing you to multi-table with ease. These monitors are ideal as they’re the same height and compatible with the specs on the UltraSharp.

With a sophisticated three-screen setup like the one mentioned here, you can start to feel like a poker pro and manage your games better. However, monitors aren’t the only equipment that requires consideration when you’re playing professional online poker.

Best Gear for Online Poker

Once you’ve figured out the best monitor for your online poker-playing experience, it’s time to review the other equipment you use when playing. 

While the display is by far the most crucial aspect of online poker, the specifics of your setup play a significant role in your success as an online poker player.

Aside from a great monitor, a comfortable chair, an ergonomic mouse, and noise-canceling headphones will significantly improve your game. 

Here, we’ll take a look at the best options (all available on Amazon.com) for each type of equipment you need to be a poker pro.

Best Poker Chair: SecretLab Titan Softweave

Poker games typically last hours, and the pros often play between six and eight hours of cash games, sometimes without a break in between! And without the proper support, you can seriously injure your body in the process.

The ideal poker chair should offer adequate support to your spine and provide enough space to rest back comfortably without letting the back of your knees touch the seat.

The best gaming chair for pro poker players would be the SecretLab Titan Softweave. Made for high-end gamers and used as the standard chair in many of the top gaming tournaments in the world, the Titan is truly a miracle of modern gaming.

Lumbar Support

The Titan comes with a built-in lumbar support system to keep your spine upright, and your posture erect throughout your games. This additional support is essential, especially for those sessions when you’re playing those long, drawn-out cash games.

Longer sessions tend to compress the muscles in the lower back, leading to aches and strains. And even if the pain is momentary, it can seriously hinder your ability to focus on the game at the moment. The lumbar support system helps by eliminating this unnecessary pain.

You can also recline the seat to 165° if you want to take a quick rest when you’re sitting out between hands.

Leveled Seat

A leveled seat base gives you enough space to sit comfortably without disturbing your position or having to redistribute your weight too often during the game.

The seat on the Titan is also wide enough for players to sit with their feet up and cross them while playing a game. The weight distribution remains uniform even when you put your legs up, ensuring comfort in all positions.

Breathable 

A crucial aspect that makes the Titan stand apart from other gaming chairs is its temperature regulation feature.

The Titan is made using breathable material, both on the seat cover as well as the backrest. This light, breathable setup allows you to stay calm and focused throughout the entire tournament.

As mentioned, most poker games go on for several hours, and sitting in one spot can tend to get hot and stuffy. But with the Titan’s design, you can stay cool even through the most grueling poker games – an essential feature if you want to make it big in the online poker world.

And while it may seem like any gaming chair will do, using a top-notch seat from a gaming company like Titan can work wonders on your posture and keep you in better shape than you’d imagine.

The Titan is a relatively expensive product, but the long-term benefits on your body and your poker career are worth the investment. You can also purchase it on SecretLab’s website.

Best Poker Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Chroma

The right gaming mouse plays a crucial role in your long-term success as a poker pro. But selecting the right mouse is a little trickier than you might think.

The easiest way to narrow down your choices is to eliminate all wireless options. While today’s wireless mouses come with the latest technology, it’s risky to use them for poker games because you need a charged battery.

You may be at the final table of a tournament, making a decision involving hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars. For your battery to run out at such a crucial moment would be highly unpleasant, to say the least. 

The best gaming mouse for playing online poker would be the Razer DeathAdder Chroma. The feel, grip, and ease of use can help you comfortably sit through sessions that last hours.

This mouse is especially helpful for those grueling tournaments and cash games that create intense fatigue in even the most experienced pros.

Here are a few reasons why the Razer DeathAdder Chroma is the ideal mouse for online poker:

Wired

For starters, it’s a high-end gaming mouse with a wired USB connection, making connectivity the least of your issues. The USB wiring removes the risk of your battery dying in the middle of a game, which can be disastrous during some hands.

The DeathAdder also comes with an instantaneous click-response rate making it reliable.

Side Buttons

While online poker is pretty straightforward, it can be helpful to simplify some of your decisions using a gaming mouse. 

The side buttons on the DeathAdder can be set up with specific commands that’ll make your poker playing experience a lot smoother and less mentally taxing.

You can input commands for ‘folding’ and ‘calling’ and make these decisions with the touch of a button. But the DeathAdder goes a step further, even allowing you to customize specific bet sizes (even odd ones) and program them into the side buttons.

Ergonomic Design

When buying a gaming mouse, you want one that won’t tire out your wrist or cause fatigue too quickly. If your mouse makes your hand hurt in just an hour or two, it’s not worth the investment. 

Luckily, the Adder comes with an ergonomic design, making your hand fit snug like a glove and limiting the effort required to play. This design allows you to stay in the game for hours without experiencing the slightest bit of fatigue.  

Scroll Wheel 

While it may not seem like much, the scroll wheel on the DeathAdder is highly sensitive, allowing you to increase or decrease the bet size quickly and with impeccable precision.

The right gaming mouse can go a long way towards improving your prospects as an online poker player, and the DeathAdder Chroma is the best suited for this.

If you’re planning to take your game to the next level, you should consider the Razer DeathAdder Chroma.

Best Poker Headphones: Sony WH1000XM3 Headphones

While headphones may not seem like an essential part of an online poker pro’s repertoire, they can help significantly improve your focus and take your game to the next level.

However, picking the right headphones for a poker game is a little more complicated than you might think. Some poker players listen to music during a game as it helps keep them in the kind of zone they want to be in.

However, most of the pros wear noise-canceling headphones or ones that produce white noise to drown out distractions and focus more intensely on their game.

Of course, audio quality matters. But in online poker, comfort, noise cancellation, and extended battery life are essential features to consider when investing in headphones.

The Sony WH1000XM3 is the best poker headphones on the market and is used by a few poker pros across the world.

Here are a few features that make the Sony WH1000XM3 the best poker headphones out there:

Superior Audio Quality 

Considering that Sony produced these headphones, superior audio quality is, of course, a given. But this model is almost too perfect when it comes to creating an enhanced audio experience.

These headphones give a more crisp, rich sound, with a bass that’s deep yet not too overwhelming like most other headphones.

Active Noise Cancellation

Noise cancellation is an essential feature to consider when you’re getting headphones for online poker. You can tune into your game more deeply by blocking outside noises, making coherent, clear decisions.

And while most poker headphones come with PNC (passive noise cancellation), the Sony WH1000XM3 offers active noise cancellation. What’s the difference? 

PNC headphones come with thick layers of material to insulate your ears and block out external noises. While these headphones are effective, the additional padding tends to be uncomfortable and can make you feel hot in an hour or two. 

On the other hand, ANC headphones, like this model, use technology that produces sounds to cancel ambient noises, ensuring that you only hear what you want to. 

Aside from the apparent advantages, ANC headphones are far more comfortable as they’re free from additional padding.

The Sony WH1000XM3 can help you hone in on the game by blocking out distractions, drowning everything unessential.

Extended Battery Life  

Most poker tournaments can last between eight and ten hours, with some going on even longer. To stay focused throughout the game, you need to drown out distractions, and here’s where headphones come in.

However, most poker headphones are wireless, and there’s always a risk of the battery running out in the middle of a game. 

Luckily, the Sony WH1000XM3 comes with thirty hours of battery life when fully charged, allowing constant playback through even the most extended games. That’s enough battery life for three long Texas Hold’Em tournaments!

And if you ever run out of battery, these headphones have a quick charge option as well, giving you five whole hours of playback with a quick 10-minute charge.

Comfortable Fit

Perhaps the most crucial feature of any poker headphone is the comfort it provides to its wearer. When selecting a headphone, most poker players consider which one to choose based on two metrics – noise cancellation and comfort.

In most cases, one of these features wins out over the other, and a decision is made. However, as a poker pro, neither comfort nor noise cancellation should be compromised in exchange for focus. 

A comfortable headphone will allow you to play for hours without breaking focus, even during the most challenging games. And noise cancellation will help enhance your focus, making decisions more straightforward and accurate.

The Sony WH1000XM3 is built for comfort, along with its other features, and you can wear it for hours without even realizing that it’s on anymore. As such, using these headphones can help improve your experience during a game.

This model from Sony will drown out unnecessary noises, helping you focus better, make more precise decisions, and stay calm even during the most stressful hands. 

Best Poker Keyboard: Logitech G910 Orion Spectrum 

Some players prefer using their keyboards when playing online poker, and having the right keyboard can improve their outcome during a game.

While having the right keyboard isn’t essential, we thought to include one if you’re keen on the whole setup.

The best keyboard for online poker is the Logitech G910 Orion Spectrum, with Romer-G mechanical switches, making this model one of the fastest keyboards in the market.

But perhaps the most useful feature on this keyboard is the nine customizable ‘G’ keys. You can assign specific commands to each key based on your style of play, and the keys are positioned optimally for easy accessibility.

The keyboard also offers RGB illumination and you can fully customize how each key is illuminated for optimal play. This degree of customization allows you to assign commands like ‘fold’, ‘call,’ or ‘raise’ to a specific key and illuminate that key with your chosen color.  

The G910 Orion Spectrum also comes with a sleek, ergonomic design and a wrist rest to help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome and general pains that occur during prolonged games.

Final Thoughts

Let’s quickly recap the different equipment you need to improve your online poker game:

• Best monitor: Dell UltraSharp UP3017 
• Best gaming chair: SecretLab Titan Softweave 
• Best gaming mouse: Razer DeathAdder Chroma 
• Best headphones: Sony WH1000XM3 Headphones
• Best keyboard: Logitech G910 Orion Spectrume 

It’s essential to work on your game and develop your skills as you grow as an online poker pro. And the right equipment can help accelerate this growth by elevating your game a few notches higher.