Tricks for paying attention while playing live?

[Jim T]

You could try not looking at your cards until the action is on you. Just please don't do it at my table. It's irritating and delays the game.

Also, if you're playing at a low limit table you'll look like a tool. When I first started playing, at the lowest limit the Bellagio had, the guy next to me made a big show out of waiting to look at his hand when the action got to him. Even as a noobie I was ready to strangle him.