Eric Lynch, better known as “Rizen” in the online poker world, recently lent his name to Gunnar Optiks, which provides high-end digital performance eyewear for computer users. The company’s products, which can be found in 300 retail stores nationwide, have recently caught on with online poker players, who regularly find themselves staring at the computer for long sessions. Gunnar Optiks glasses are scientifically designed to reduce Digital Eye Fatigue and are useful in a variety of settings. Lynch, who is also a Guest Columnist here on Poker News Daily, sat down to talk about his involvement.
Poker News Daily: Why did you become involved with Gunnar Optiks?
Lynch: They approached me with the product and sent out a pair of the glasses. I tried them for about a week. I first thought they were gimmicky, but noticed an immediate difference. On the fourth or fifth day, I didn’t use them and noticed a huge difference at the end of the night. I can put in eight- or ten-hour sessions and knew they did what they were supposed to. I’d definitely recommend them to other players. Poker News Daily reader can even get a free hat with a purchase of a pair of Gunnars by entering the code PNDHAT at checkout.
PND: You have one of the top-respected names in poker? Explain lending it to Gunnar.
Lynch: It works and it’s something that will help poker players. There are a lot of players who use PokerTracker and Heads-Up Displays. This is another third party tool. I can see people who put in a lot of hours and taking care of your eyes is important. Some people don’t suffer from eye fatigue, but I’ve noticed a big difference. I used to get big headaches and I wouldn’t lend my name to something unless it works.
PND: Eyewear from Gunnar Optiks is more expensive than a pair of simple reading glasses from a store like Walgreens. Why should players spend more?
Lynch: I’ve worn some of the other glasses and they don’t do all of the things that Gunnars do. Beyond the technology, the shape of the frames keeps air coming in. These are tailored toward people watching a digital image, which you can’t get with a $10 pair from Walgreens. As far as the cost, if they do what they say they do, it’s the same price tag as some of the subscription sites out there. If you go deep during a session and make one decision right because of them, they will pay for themselves. Poker players flop a lot more than the cost of these glasses on other things. I don’t think the costs are prohibitive based on the rewards. Without them, you could be making a $5,000 or $10,000 mistake.
PND: The glasses boast a 0.2 magnification, which is about one-fifth of what you’ll find with traditional drug store glasses. Have you talked to other poker players about what they think?
Lynch: Everyone who I have talked to has been very happy and continues to wear them. No one has said they wouldn’t have spent money on it and most of the people are also pretty serious.
PND: Is having proper eyewear at the virtual tables part of a bigger move towards poker players improving their lifestyles?
Lynch: Poker players in general have figured out that we make so many decisions at the table that are so close. If we don’t eat right, if we don’t put ourselves in the right state of mind, if we aren’t thinking 100% clearly, we’re making thousands of dollars in mistakes. Before, people got caught up in the drinking and partying lifestyle. It’s like a lot of athletes: When they first come in, they make some bad decisions. When they’re in their 30s, they realize that they have to change.
PND: What do your kids think of the glasses?
Lynch: They think they’re cool. My daughter, who is two years old, was sitting in the computer chair, looking at the screen wearing them, and saying, “Daddy I’m working.” The kids pick up on everything.