Online or Live

If you think you can play poker online the same way you play poker in a live casino, you may want to think again. Yes, the cards are the same. The hand rankings are the same. In many ways, the money is the same (at least it’s all Rands, Dollars, Euros, Pounds etc.)

Poker Online or Off-line: Similarities and Differences

But in truth, strategy that leads to success in online poker is not the same as strategy that leads to success in the proverbial “brick and mortar” poker room. If you want to achieve success in either location you will have to understand how different “live” experience is from Web-based experience.

Some discussions of online poker begin with the idea that people play poker on their computers because they aren’t close enough to a “real” poker room. This is true in many situations. While the number of casino/poker rooms has grown in the last few years, there are still places around the globe that are not within a hundred miles of a real poker table. Poker fanatics in these places will have to gamble online.

Online Poker: Does it Fit Your Style?

But is there a solid reason for some people to play poker online even when they are right across the street from a “live” poker room? The answer is “yes.” When we get down to the smallest details of poker strategy, some people will play their best while looking at their computer screen while others will feel more comfortable (and will win more money) when the other players are breathing and drinking right across the table.

Online Poker: Where are the Tells?

Online poker games are not the same as live poker games. Why? Because Mike Caro says so, that’s why! No, we are not going to use a direct quote on this subject from the Mad Professor. It’s just that Caro has written a definitive book about poker tells. These tells don’t exist in Web-based games. Where do online players get the crucial information they need to win? They get it from betting patterns, for the most part. If you have the time and the inclination, check out what Steve Badger has to say about this important subject.

Players who are comfortable with live play at $1 and $3, or $2 and $5, will be OK playing these limits online, but they will find themselves placing more value bets or “probe bets” when they are staring at the computer screen. Some players sit down with $300, $400, $500 or more in a land-based casino and see the flop 10 percent of the time. These same players may take a seat at an online game and might have to see the flop 30 percent or 40 percent of the time to get the information they need to make good decisions.

That’s just the beginning of the journey. You still need good starting hands. You should still play at a blind level that is comfortable for you, so you aren’t playing with “scared money.” But you will have to adjust to playing against “cartoon characters.” It makes a difference.