Newbie Question

Hello all,

I’ve been lurking for a week or two and thought I’d jump in.

I decided to get serious about poker about a month or so ago. I use the same mind set with my other hobbies, Golf, Skiing or even foosball. Be prepared to commit the time and effort to do it right.

I am by no means an accomplished player, but I seem to much better at the local Indian Casinos. In 8 sessions of $2/$4 holdem totaling 22 hrs, I’m up a little over $400.

My online play hasn’t been as fruitful. I don’t track it as closely (something I need to do), but I’m down about $130. I do ok at 0.25/0.50 and 0.50/1.00. If I move up to 1/2 or 2/4 I seem to get killed.

I ask myself “Why do I do better in live games? What factors come into play? Do I have a better sense for live games or is it the quality of play? Or am I just getting lucky?
I’ve read some material on line and bought a couple of books. I’ve tightened up my play and I’m beginning to see the big picture, I don’t have to fight every battle, I don’t need to win every battle I fight, I’d like an edge, my goal is to win the war.

So I’m thinking it’s the quality of the competition. I’m reminded of the quote “In the land of the Blind, The One-Eyed Man is King”. I’m smart enough to know that there’s a lot I don’t know (yet), but I know more than a lot of the other low limit B&M players.

So my question is “Has anyone else noticed this? Are on-line players just better?”

I’d have to say yes, just being on line means one is more informed, and they also happen to have $130 of my money that I plan to get back.

Why play online 2/4 if you cant beat it?

Just play at the level you can bea and move up when your ready.

Originally Posted by Irisheyes

Why play online 2/4 if you cant beat it?

Just play at the level you can bea and move up when your ready.

I don't play it, I've moved down.
I may be dumb, but I'm not stupid.

I've never played BnM but online guys are seeing more hands more often and are probably more experienced then Joe Soap tourist having a Gamb00l in a casino. So yea, i'd say they are gonna be better players. Except at the lowest stakes.

From my experience B&M and at paradise poker online (I am pretty sure that is one of the tightest online sites), I'd say a 3/6 game at the local casino lies somewhere between the .25/.50 and .50/1 games at paradise in skill level. Why? I think it's because of multi-tabling and that the pace is a little quicker online. With the same BR, and considering the rake, playing 3 or 4 tables of .50/1 online is probably roughly equivalent to playing one table of 3/6 at the casino. The BR is definitely much more at risk at the casino compared to the profit.

Your sample size at a casino is way too low to draw ad real conclusions.
22 hours at a casino at about 40 hands/hr = 880 hands, the fact that you are up 400 is meaningless in this sample size.

Agreed, it is a small sample of hands played. It is not enough to evaluate my play. However, I think I've observed enough hands to conclude that 20% to 30% of the players have no clue of what they're doing. Maybe more.

One example, I flopped a nut flush, bet it hard, and was able to check raise two callers on the river.

It was a big pot but doesn't say anything about me, just that the competition is bad.

BTW, what number of hands is a good sample?

give yourself a month or two and then analyze your results. I played a month and a half straight, every single day at the B&M, at least 3 hours each night, 5 hours on the weekends.
Built a 200$ bankroll to 1500$ and then the downswing started, and down to 800$ now currently and still going down.

Variance is a bitch. Keep your chin up and keep playing correct poker. B&M players suck but they will suck out on you often enough to put you on tilt if you are not careful. but over the long run, you will make a lot of money off of your weak opponents in B&M.