Music and gambling have always been a good match. The numerous clubs in gaming meccas like Las Vegas and Macau are a testament to this connection. This is also especially evident in the several slot games that incorporate musicians, such as Mötorhead, Jimi Hendrix, Megadeth, and Guns N’ Roses, into their design and themes. But other than inspiring creative designs, music also plays a bigger role in classic casino games, especially games that require strategy, like poker. Read on to find out more about the connection between poker and music to help you decide what kind of songs you should listen to before your next game.

Poker and Music

While it’s the rock n’ roll lifestyle that most people associate with gambling, different kinds of music have cemented their place in the world of professional poker. A popular choice is EDM. The fast-paced music lends itself well to the game, as it complements its exciting nature. And while EDM’s beats are the perfect tone setters for the excitement of the game, the music also comes with another benefit.

Some professional poker players have found it useful to listen to EDM as a means of getting into the zone and boosting concentration along with their decision-making skills. And if you know anything about poker, these two skills are key to winning games. The extensive guides on partypoker highlight how focus is something especially crucial when playing the game. Paying close attention to which players are betting aggressively or in a loose way can mean the difference between winning and losing a hand. It’s important that you only bet against players who are a little more conservative with their bets, as they’ll be easier to read as compared to someone who bets loosely and wildly. Noticing these details requires a great deal of focus and concentration, and music is one of the best ways to achieve that.

Best Music for Poker Players

So, what is the best kind of music for poker players? While it can still be all up to preference, there have been studies that link specific types of music to boosting focus and aptitude. For instance, songs without lyrics tend to be best when it comes to improving one’s focus. This may be because these types of songs tend to drown out the background noise that can be a distraction for most people. Studies have also found that a song’s tempo is a factor, as subjects were observed to perform better when listening to upbeat music. This explains why professional poker players gravitate towards EDM, as the electronic beats and upbeat tempo of the music are optimal for improving one’s performance.

Another alternative to EDM is classical music. The music of Italian Baroque composer Antonio Lucio Vivaldi has been attributed to improving the listener’s ability to regulate thoughts. Experts have found that Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, particularly the Spring section, has the ability to improve alertness, ability to focus, and overall memory retention, which are all skills that would benefit a professional or amateur poker player.