Put some thought into your online poker screen name before you sign up for an account. It’s often difficult to conjure up a clever screen name on the spot, which is why you should take the time before you join a new online poker room.
If you want to play on different online poker rooms, then you have multiple opportunities to switch up your screen name.
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Paranoid or Just Security Conscious?
You probably already have a default username for other aspects of the digital world. Since there could be large sums of money involved playing online poker, it’s important to properly conceal your identity so avoid a screen name that can easily get connected to you.
If you play low stakes and enjoy online poker as a form of entertainment, then have some fun with your screen name. It’s a chance to be creative and let the virtual gambling world see you in a different light.
Embrace the opportunity to be anonymous and play under a new avatar and username. Find inspiration from your favorite TV shows or movies. You can delve into the literary world, or comic books. Music lovers have a massive trove of lyrics, musicians, and band names to choose from. When in doubt, use the names of your pets.
A couple of my all-time favorite screen names that I’ve played against include “CzechRaise”, “RunItThrice”, and “FlopDeezNutz.” Someone in my home game had an awesome screen name “RobinUBlind,” which provoked numerous responses in the chat box.
Almost Famous
If you seek attention and fame, or you’re actively trying to promote a specific brand, then your online poker handle will be vital. If you happen to ship a big tournament or get involved in a hand that goes viral, then the world will learn about your screen name.
Several legendary bands often said they would’ve picked a different name if they knew they were going to become famous. That includes popular bands like the Foo Fighters, Arctic Monkeys, and Mumford and Sons.
Some poker pros faced a similar situation when they didn’t put much thought into their screen name, but that’s how they’re known in the poker world. Many pros will forever be known by their original online poker screen names like Ari “BoDogAri” Engel, Dan “Jungleman” Cates, Annette “Annette_15” Oberstad, Erik “Erik123” Sagstrom, Cliff “JohnnyBax” Josephy, or Viktor “isildur1” Blom.
Musical Homage
When I first moved to Las Vegas, my roommate was a playwright and avid poker player. His online poker screen name was “Sondheim” while reflected his adoration for the Stephen Sondheim.
My online screen name is “DonkHenley.” It combines a poker pejorative (“donkey” a.k.a donk) with Don Henley, who is most-known as the grumpy drummer from the Eagles.
Several pros created screen names based on their love of music. During the online poker boom, Taylor Caby could be found playing at the tables under “GreenPlastic” which was a nod to Radiohead’s song “Green Plastic Trees.”
WSOP bracelet winner Jesse Martin loves the jamband Phish. Martin is known online as “MazeOrBowie,” which is reference to two Phish songs.
Phil Galfond might have one of the all-time greatest screen names with “OMGClayAiken.” Galfond paid homage to Clay Aiken, who was the runner up on the second season of the insanely popular “American Idol” reality show and singing contest.
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The Literati
I get a kick out of spotting literary references at the virtual poker tables. Kurt Vonnegut is one of my favorite authors, so I was impressed when encountered screen names inspired by characters from his novels such as “BillyPilgrim”, “KilgoreTrout” and “ValenciaMerble.”
“TSGarp” is a clever nod to John Irving’s novel “The World According to Garp.” It was also made into a film starring Robin Williams and Glenn Close.
“PonyboyCurtis” is another fond reference to a character from S.E. Hinton’s coming of age novel “The Outsiders.”
“Hal2001” finds its inspiration from the evil computer from Arthur C. Clarke’s sci-fi novel “2001: A Space Odyssey.” The novel was later adapted to the big screen by Stanley Kubrick.
When in doubt, turn to Shakespeare. For almost a decade, a friend of mine played online poker under the screen name “BillyShakespeare.
TV Shows and Movies at the Table
Over the last 20 years, I spotted online poker screen names that referenced characters from popular TV shows like “ArtVandelay” from Seinfeld, “PaulieFlopsWalnuts” from The Sopranos, and “NedFlanders420” from The Simpsons.
I applaud any references to the cult-classic film “Rounders.” Screen names that always give me a chuckle have some sort of relationship to the Teddy KGB character played by John Malkovich. My all-time favorite is “TeddyCIA,” but I’ve also played against “TommyKGB.”
Imposter Syndrome
When in doubt, hide behind a real-life pro at the online tables. If you recognize a screen name of a well-known pro at the table, there’s a very good chance it’s not them.
When the WSOP opened their online poker site at WSOP.com, numerous pros squatted on names that were not their own. A hilarious spectacle ensued.
Ari Engel played under the screen name “philivey,” and Cord Garcia played under the screen name “BoDogAri.” Jamie Kerstetter can be found on the virtual felt as “DanBilzerian.”
There’s also no shortage of online poker players showing Doyle “Texas Dolly” Brunson some love. Examples of his nickname like “AlaskaDolly” or “IowaDolly” and my all-time favorite “LongIslandDolly.”
