Live VS. Online

What are the Pro's and Con's of both?
Cash game...
I've heard live is a lot softer than online.

Live is a lot softer than online, even at much higher stakes.
You can play more than one table online, from home.
Online deals faster.
You dont have to tip online.
The waitresses are hotter live.


Thats about it.

Stakes being equal:

- Live is much softer
- You can play multiple tables online
- You can make better reads live
- You can play any time, any day online. And you can even play in your underwear if you want...
- You can track your hands online via an automated database
- Live is much more of a rush
- Live can be boring because of all the waiting.
- Rake is much lower online.

Multi-tabling live is a bitch.
My "live HUD" was not appreciated... apparently all the string and paper clips was distracting....

In live games I have to pay more attention to determine the size of the pot.

online you don't have to hear the inevitable "shouldn't have folded my pocket aces" joke.

Online you don't need a poker face

Originally Posted by Jack Sawyer

Online you don't need a poker face

poker faces are overrated

If you can put up with all the fish jokes and the slow game and high rake. Play live because its 5X softer at equal stakes. Otherwise, 12 table online obv.

Play live because whatever stakes it is, it is 5 skill levels lower than the online equivalent. So if you want to play 2/5NL it is really like .05/.10 online.

Originally Posted by Deanglow

Play live because whatever stakes it is, it is 5 skill levels lower than the online equivalent. So if you want to play 2/5NL it is really like play money online.

Really, live is that bad. There are better players at every level online, even .01/.02, than you can find in live 1/2, 2/5 games.

It's boring, but you can pretty much figure on doubling through almost every time you get a hand.

yeah, live games are much softer than online. Luckily, lots of passive loose players want to see the flop no matter how much you raise preflop and pay you off nicely all the way down to the river with some weak top pair, the second pair or even some BS. Also, you will find tonnes of gamblers and maniacs who like to " bully " the table with air, so your job is spot them and take their money relentlessly with your good cards(TPTK,TPNK or better).
As long as you play solid tight aggressive NL poker, you will be a big winner over the long run at any levels in these live games. Keep it in mind that the key to sucess in live games is patience, discipline and consistence.
last but not least, you should rarely play funcy stuff against these donks, fish and maniacs who think only on the zeroth level.

Originally Posted by sejje

Originally Posted by Deanglow

Play live because whatever stakes it is, it is 5 skill levels lower than the online equivalent. So if you want to play 2/5NL it is really like play money online.

Really, live is that bad. There are better players at every level online, even .01/.02, than you can find in live 1/2, 2/5 games.

It's boring, but you can pretty much figure on doubling through almost every time you get a hand.

jeez i don't know what i'm missing. i have yet to make a trip to a casino to check out live action.

because they play like "play money opponents," expect your variance to be higher than the level of online play you are used to.

hopefully, you find "headphone guy" sitting next to "pokerstars shirt wearing guy" sitting to the left of "i read hands so good i talk about the hand thats in play" guy.

Live games are rigged

pay attention, dont get bored. Watch what everyone plays and how they bet. Take all there money, rinse and repeat.

Originally Posted by martindcx1e

Originally Posted by Jack Sawyer

Online you don't need a poker face

poker faces are overrated

Compare Phil Ivey's and Jennifer Tilly's

after a long night, the casino will pay your drinks live

Originally Posted by Chopper

because they play like "play money opponents," expect your variance to be higher than the level of online play you are used to.

hopefully, you find "headphone guy" sitting next to "pokerstars shirt wearing guy" sitting to the left of "i read hands so good i talk about the hand thats in play" guy.

Wait...those guys play at your casino too? Well no shit.

LOL, those guys are all like the mega-donks you find online. Sadly, they probably squeeze a small profit in these games.

I can't wait to have a 20K roll to try my local 5/10


Also, you HAVE to tip the dealer or suffer the consequences

LIVE is SOOO EASY
Just pay attention to the players preflop and when the flop comes.
Invariably, 80% of them will look at their cards before their turn to act. Some will prepare their chips for the raise and some will be reaching to fold. Really easy to tell who will be in.
On the flop, look at them watch the cards, watch their reactions. You can look at the flop later.
Most will go broke with weak hands, but be prepared for some weird shit...

EG:
playing in a 2/2 euros table at Namur casino, the minimum raise that will reduce the field to less than 4 players preflop is 14euros (7xBB)
and still some people will call you with shithands like Q-3 or K-7

so if your aces get cracked on a Q 3 7 rainbow flop by someone who flopped two pair, reload and be patient, you'll get all your money back soon enough.... plus benefits

Originally Posted by sejje

Originally Posted by Chopper

because they play like "play money opponents," expect your variance to be higher than the level of online play you are used to.

hopefully, you find "headphone guy" sitting next to "pokerstars shirt wearing guy" sitting to the left of "i read hands so good i talk about the hand thats in play" guy.

Wait...those guys play at your casino too? Well no shit.

LOL, those guys are all like the mega-donks you find online. Sadly, they probably squeeze a small profit in these games.

i LOVE these guys. i sat live once earlier this year, and had loads of fun.

i had a LAG three to my left, a regular to his left, a couple donkeys to my right, and headphone buy three to my right. headphone guy was also "i can read your hand out loud guy." i got in one mix-up with him.

i had pkt Q's and opened it up from mp. he called, and so did one of the donkeys to my right. headphone guy had the CO or BTN. flop comes J 8 K, and i led into them. they call. turn pairs the J. i lead again. headphone guy calls. river is a brick. and i get nervous and put in a half pot bet...i thought i was ahead based on how this guy played his other hands. the donkey to my right says, "he's got the boat. look at that size of his bet...he wants a caller." headphone guy says, "i've had him on 2 pair a couple times. but, he IS betting smaller than usual. you may be right."

i was thinking to myself, "WTF is all this hand discussion. dealer? wanna step in here?" but, what could i say? if i bitch, it alters their thinking. so, i just sit tight and hope he calls (because i thought i was ahead).

he drops and shows me the TRIPS! he had AJ, and thought i had KJ. how can you drop that, at these stakes, to a 1/2 pot bet on the river? but, whatever, thank you "i overthink, therefore i am."

but we've all been there before. and these guys are ALL OVER THE PLACE in a live game. spot them and take their money. if he will drop trips, you can sell any scare card to him....use it.