As the popularity of live poker continued to surge into the mid 2000s, the introduction of online variations of the game was largely responsible for a rapid rise in participants on a global scale. But with a growing number of players placing their bets on the internet as opposed to in brick and mortar venues, are there really that many differences between the two? Continue reading to find out.
The pace
If you are used to playing online, you may struggle to acclimatise to the slower pace of live games. With several tables and hundreds of hands played at any given time, online poker players are skilled at juggling a multitude of play factors. Live players, on the other hand, are limited to just one table and no more than 40 hands per hour. As live dealers take longer to shuffle and deal cards in real-time, matches don’t run as smoothly as they do online. Most live games also include a greater deal of communication and comradery amongst players which can be distracting to online players.
The softness
Typically, live poker games are much softer than their online counterparts. This means live players are less likely to bet against each other. Soft playing is frowned upon within the poker community and has been accused of destroying the integrity of the game. For example, an NL25 table will be much more difficult than most NL200 games. This is because online players are much more likely to improve their skills through online poker training software. Live players, on the other hand, tend to play for fun and are, on average, not nearly as interested in upping their game.
The variety of poker games on offer
Even the largest land-based casinos with the greatest poker rooms struggle to compete with the variety of games on offer at online poker websites. A leading online poker platform, such as GGPoker, is home to thousands of poker games for players at both ends of the skills spectrum with low blinds and even lower buy-ins. Live poker, on the other hand, is much less flexible when it comes to the variety of games on offer. As a result, tournaments can cost you upwards of £100 to .
The social aspect
One of the biggest differences between online poker and live poker is the social aspect. With the opportunity to play from the comfort of your own home or on the go, online poker tends to be a relatively solitary activity. Most platforms, however, give players the option to chat with fellow players. Live poker, on the other hand, is suited to large groups of people with conversations amongst players commonplace in live venues. As a single player, live poker can be a great way to meet fellow poker fans and discuss a common interest.
The importance of tells
In poker, a tell is a sudden or dramatic change in a player’s behaviour that may indicate the strength of their hand. During live poker, this may include blinking, sweating, fluid speech, smiling, high blood pressure, and silence. With the physical element of poker removed during online play, players can judge opponents based on the speed of their moves, their betting patterns, and how often they are communicating with others.
With online poker now a billion-dollar a year industry, players can get involved in the game in more ways than ever before. But with live poker still dominating the airwaves, there are a number of key differences between the two including the pace of the game, the softness of play, the variety of games on offer, the social aspect, and the importance of tells.
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