Online Poker Vs. Live Poker

[PointerJake]

ONLINE POKER VS. LIVE POKER, ARE THEY TWO DIFFERENT GAMES?

I would like to know what everyone thinks about online poker vs. live poker, and in general are they two different games almost like limit vs. no-limit.

I grew up in live cash games, then moved to online cash games and tourneys, and now I play both. But I have realized I have to take two completly different styles into the games to be profitable.

Let me know if you guys agree or disagree. Thanks

[liladypokerpro]

Originally Posted by PointerJake ONLINE POKER VS. LIVE POKER, ARE THEY TWO DIFFERENT GAMES? I would like to know what everyone thinks about online poker vs. live poker, and in general are they two different games almost like limit vs. no-limit. I grew up in live cash games, then moved to online cash games and tourneys, and now I play both. But I have realized I have to take two completly different styles into the games to be profitable. Let me know if you guys agree or disagree. Thanks

I totally agree they are as different as night and day... I think the fact that you can't see them physically gives people a false sense of "I can play however I want" kinda thing. If some people played live the same way they played online, it'd be like one of the old western movies *bang!* LOL

[frob23]

I generally find that live games are a lot weaker. Sure, online games are often weak and bad but I'm playing at much smaller stakes. I can play stakes 10 times higher live and find players playing worse. Honestly, 5/10c limit online often plays stronger than most of the $1/$2 and even $2/$4 limit games I play live. Also, you can play more than one table at a time and get more hands even on a single table, which can help increase your patience. I'm a very patient player but I know how hard it is even for me to sit 40-50 minutes live without finding a hand or a spot to play. People who play live are usually there because they want to play cards and not sit. They've had to drive to get there, wait to be seated, and are seeing less hands. Suddenly, everything with even the slightest potential is worth playing. I've seen live hands capped pre-flop and have 8-9 players in them. It takes a lot of searching to find a game that loose online.

Do people make crazier bluffs online? I think they often do because they believe it's safer because the other person can't see how weak they look. But people still make crazy bluffs live, if less often. Live it can also be harder if you play with the same people and you don't want to look dumb. So that does constrain a bit. Still, I know a person who I play with live and he's just as likely to raise UTG with 6-7 suited live as he is online.

My experience is with low, low limits in both games. So it's not relevant to all levels.

Also, online tournament players generally understand tournament play more. I can see live players limping or min-raising with Ms under 5 all the time live. It happens online... but a much larger group know enough to move in with any hand they're going to play.

I don't know. I like both but they are different beasts. I also worry more about people tracking my play online and keeping notes which can reduce my edge in hands. Live, I have a better idea of who I have played and what they have seen me do. So I have some idea of what they think I am playing and how.

[123bird]

Originally Posted by PointerJake ONLINE POKER VS. LIVE POKER, ARE THEY TWO DIFFERENT GAMES? I would like to know what everyone thinks about online poker vs. live poker, and in general are they two different games almost like limit vs. no-limit. I grew up in live cash games, then moved to online cash games and tourneys, and now I play both. But I have realized I have to take two completely different styles into the games to be profitable. Let me know if you guys agree or disagree. Thanks

I agree with you 100%, they are different.I also think playing online is bad for your live play.
I think online, people play alot more aggressively & play virtually any hand .
Playing in freerolls is the worst type of poker you can get ,because its free & the rewards aren't that good, you find people will play hands that normally, they would throw away as soon as possible.
What I've found playing freerolls is, that the old saying( if can't beat em join em) applies 100%.Even playing in MTT or sit"n"go's which costs up to $10 to play i think people play to much crap & are over aggressive.
When you play live you can 99% of the time pick the online players(especially the freerollers)because their first & most times their last, thought is to raise/reraise(with any cards, in any situation)
I'm the first to admit that I'm alot more of an aggressive player online than i am playing live,I also play cards when online that i wouldn't dream of playing live(IE K-5 or J-7 etc)(unless in the blinds) & i think the main reason for that is that when you're online you're anonymous & when your live you don't want people to think/call you a donkey/monkey whatever.

[PointerJake]

Quote: I don't know. I like both but they are different beasts. I also worry more about people tracking my play online and keeping notes which can reduce my edge in hands. Live, I have a better idea of who I have played and what they have seen me do. So I have some idea of what they think I am playing and how.


This is what I was getting at when I said you must take two different styles into each game. In live play, because I play at the same casino every time, I have created a table image for myself as tight solid player; and I use that at times for bluffs on huge pots. Whereas online poker throw that method out the window because 9-10 times someone is going to call you. I play the man much more in live poker and the cards more in online poker.

[PointerJake]

Originally Posted by liladypokerpro I totally agree they are as different as night and day... I think the fact that you can't see them physically gives people a false sense of "I can play however I want" kinda thing. If some people played live the same way they played online, it'd be like one of the old western movies *bang!* LOL

Yea I agree would be crazy, I also think that since people dont have to own up to their donk calls online, they are more apt to make them.