Playing Poker Online versus Live Play
♣ Advantages and Disadvantages ♠

by Jordan Jones

August 2, 2009

Regarding this topic, the principal mistake poker players make is the belief that live play and online play are practically the same. These small differences can allow the enlightened poker player to get ahead. Examine the differences and tailor your style of play accordingly.

If you told someone 20 years ago that you were playing a game of poker with players in Great Britain, Africa, Denmark, Australia and Jupiter all simultaneously they might think you were crazy. Today, well they might still think you were crazy because interplanetary play is a stretch but the rest is no exaggeration. This new facet poses numerous advantages as well as shortcomings. The following attempts to point out the most significant pros and cons of playing poker online.

Advantages

• Comfort is crucial. Online games can be played in your own home - a setting as comfortable as you make it. Utilize this to create a strong buffer between you and potential frustrations.

• The applets on many poker websites allow areas for taking notes on opponents. If not, a word processor works just as well. In real life play, most of this must be done mentally while at the table. Take advantage of this and jot down notes when needed.

• While in a casino imagine being able to mute your opponents after a bad beat. Disable the chat feature to avoid distracting table talk.

• Know thyself. With many gaming sites, a player is able to view their statistics. If every time you walked out the doors of a casino someone handed you figures regarding your game, how would that change the way you played?

• Pick a table that best suits your skill level and aptitude by easily comparing tables side by side in your browser. Look for tables where a high number of players pay to see the flop; this is usually a sign of loose/weak players. Tables with many short stacked players also provide a clear advantage.

Disadvantages

• Online play is not interpersonal, so the ability to get a tell from an opponent is very difficult. Being unable to physically read your opponents, instead take this time to pay more attention to betting habits and reoccurring characteristics.

• Dishonest play is easier to get away with online. Stick strictly to reputable websites – those which have security personnel looking for fishy behavior.

• Buying in online is much simpler and can be done incredibly fast. Know your limits and avoid getting carried away financially.

• There are two sides to every coin, don’t let the comfort of online poker get in the way of your game. Find a balance between attentiveness and comfort.

• Don’t allow online play to affect your real life game in a negative way. Some terrific online players lack the ability to play an equally successful game in real life because they don’t change their strategy. There have been numerous stories of a player gaining an entrance through an online satellite only to crash and burn in the live tournament.

• Technology has its faults. Other forces beside opponents may ruin your game such as a sluggish computer or unreliable internet service provider so be prepared.

Author Copyright © Jordan Jones
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