Playing with friends is much better they can tell you when to chill out.
Or be there for support or just talk to you while you play.
I rather to gamble alone and if I'm with my friends I mostly prefer to be there to support them and talk to them and give some advise while they are playing. But if I do gamble and they are the ones who will do what I prefer to do, then I won't listen to them for I don't think they are good advisers either.
Id listen to music if i was allowed to but im sure they might assume i was cheating at the tables.