Online Poker vs Live
Online vs Live Poker
Ever since the very successful online poker player Chris Moneymaker took on the best live poker players and came out on top, many people have been wondering what the differences are between online and live poker, in any. You can be assured that there are stark differences between the two. While online poker focuses more on the odds and mathematical side of the game, live poker features actually playing your opponents face to face. In the case of live poker then, bluffing and reading other players is of utmost importance. This article explains the major differences between two very different approaches to poker.
Player Interaction
In many online venues, you lack the player interaction that live poker has to offer. Granted, as games progress in online poker, you will begin to notice play tendencies among your fellow players provided that you consistently see their final hands (they may fold if their hand is the weaker one). However, in live poker, you are looking your opponent directly in the eye as they try to float the pot with a 10 high. Some newer websites compensate with alternative webcam and microphone features but they are few and players are often reluctant to use them.
Game Selection
It can be difficult to find a group of players where you live that will play the live poker in which you would like to participate. However, online poker typically has hundreds of tables available for you to play. If you feel like playing 7 card stud, Texas Hold ‘Em or 5 card draw, you will usually be able to find a table at which to sit. This major difference between online and live poker is enough to make even casual Friday night players try online websites out.
Game Availability
You may decide that you want to play poker on a Wednesday night but there are not enough people around you to organize a live game. However, online poker does not suffer from this issue. At almost every time of the day, you can usually find players from all over the world with whom you can play. This flexibility of time is a major draw to the online sector of poker.
What’s the Deal Dealer?
If you have played live games, you have probably run into dealers that forget to collect all the cards, accidentally reveal cards while dealing or do not shuffle the cards well enough. However, online dealers will never make these game slowing mistakes. In fact, online dealers are perfect shufflers. Having one bad live dealer can add a little more character to live games, but anyone who has been staring 4 Kings in the eyes only to find that the hand must be returned because of a misdeal will certainly see the advantages of having perfect dealers in online venues.
Money per Hour
One of the most important differences between online and live poker is the amount of hands (and potential money) that you can see in a single hour. While you can expect to see from 20-30 hands per hour in live games, online games boast as many as 100. If you are a casual player that likes to enjoy the game, find casual online lounges or play live poker. However, if you are playing to win decent money, you may want to play at least most of the time that you spend playing poker at online poker websites.
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