Live poker online is the same game that you’d play in a brick and mortar casino but with the added benefits of being able to interact with your opponents through their avatar, chat options, virtual presents, and more. The goal of the game remains the same – to win pots by making better decisions than your opponents. There are, however, some differences between online and live poker that can make it difficult for players to adjust from one format to the other. Having an understanding of these nuances can help you avoid unnecessary mistakes and losses at the tables.
One major difference between live and online poker is the pace of play. While it may take a dealer some time to shuffle, deal, and police the game, online poker is played much faster because all of those tasks are handled by computer software. This means that you’ll be able to play many more hands per hour online than you would in a live game.
Another aspect of online poker that can be challenging for live players to adapt to is the amount of aggression in the games. Online games tend to attract more aggressive players, which makes for tougher competition and a higher EV long-term. Live games, on the other hand, often contain a mix of loose-passive players and this can lead to more multiway pots and softer games.
Online poker also offers players the opportunity to constantly update their knowledge of the game and improve their skills through a variety of training resources. This can be a big advantage for players that want to be at the top of their game and it’s something that live players often struggle with. Live players are typically an older crowd and many of them don’t have the motivation or the ability to use online resources to improve their game.
In addition to these differences, live players will often face a greater percentage of rake in their pots than online players. This is especially true at lower stakes levels and can add up to a significant amount of money over the course of an hour, particularly for those playing multiple tables. Online poker players, on the other hand, are usually more aware of the rake and have no problem accepting that a significant portion of every pot they win goes to the house.
Another important aspect of online poker that can be a challenge for live players to adapt to is the lack of tells. While it’s possible to find a few reliable tells in a live game (such as betting patterns, actions during each street, and some timing tells), it’s much more difficult to pick up these clues when playing online. This can make a huge difference for players that rely on their feelings and physical reads in order to make their decisions at the table.