Regarding 1. avatar optional: I found out that if you first set a png file as an avatar, and then later rename/remove that png, no avatar will be displayed next time you start pokerth. So if somebody out there is really desperate to see no avatars, it's already possible
On the topic of feature requests in general: some of my friends complain that their eyes are not drawn enough to the amount set by other players (so they call even very big raises too quickly and then regret it). Maybe some kind of poker chip outline (possibly square/rectangular if that's more convenient, they had those in that Casino Royale movie

) can be drawn around the amount of money set to make it slightly more noticeable. It's a minor point though.
heyn