Switching from Live to OL problems.

[revolvingiris]

I think I have found the source to a HUGE hole in my game. For the last 6 years I have been mainly a live cash player. I was taught to focus heavy on playing the player and using reads/tells to make decisions. Overall I have done OK for myself and have won a decent amount (nothing to fully live on).

One thing I have always struggled with was OL play. I am currently at my second buy in on stars and have lost half already just in micro tourneys. I'm really focused on improving my OL MTT play. If I want a cash game, Commerce is right up the road. So anyways, here is my problem (I'm sure there are more).

Since its playing OL you can't physically see the player. I feel like I'm sitting blind and have no way of "reading" my opponent. Other than, their betting style (Aggro, lagg, tagg, etc..) and their range of hands. This has been very difficult getting used to and am continuing to struggle adjusting.

I know I am not the only one who has made the jump from live to OL. So, I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance for all comments.

[Fnord]

Online is very very different with the lines and such.

I would recommend taking up some micro cash games, reading a lot and keeping at it. You will discover lots of technical holes in your live game as a result.

...

[drmcboy]

I would guess a lot of the live 'reads' you got were actually based on betting patterns and other stuff you can get online, you just aren't used to seeing them without the visuals.

[revolvingiris]

Online is very very different with the lines and such.

I would recommend taking up some micro cash games, reading a lot and keeping at it. You will discover lots of technical holes in your live game as a result.

Anything in particular you think I should read?


drmcboy- This is true about betting patterns. When Im playing live I use a lot of tells to make decisions (if they are nervous, acting stong, acting weak). All of that can be disguised OL because human psychology cant be shown threw a computer screen. But essentially yes you are very right!

Mezza- I'm currently grinding out the stars micro tourneys and not doing a great job at it lol. I have pokeroffice, is there an upside to poker tracker that office doesnt have?

Thanks for the replys guys!

[Ragnar4]

The main difference that I've found between OL and Live Play for NLHE is this:

(Caution, I'm not exactly a winning player playing NLHE)

It seems to me the best players in the game draw a line in the sand against each player where they know, if they get it all in against that player, they will make money over time.

IE they know that against me that middle pair weak kicker on the flop is the nuts, so they shove, I call and lose my monies...

You see it so often on the boards. "I'm never folding here" or "Get it all in and move on" The generic point for this is a set. It doesn't matter what the board is, who's in the pot, or what kind of action is going on, they want all their money in the pot against everybody with a set.

You play so many more hands per hour in an online game, they are willing to take the most minute of edges in percentags, and expound on that edge by playing more hands and even multitabling.

Since hands are played so slowly ring games at a BnM establishment, you have to be able to read your opponent, and extract money in ways that you can't do on a computer.

[Fnord]

Live players don't fold on small streets nearly enough and don't play big streets well (either call too much or fold too much, you have to figure out your man.)

Online tend to be better at the small street folds because they don't have to wait as long for action.

[revolvingiris]

Live players don't fold on small streets nearly enough and don't play big streets well (either call too much or fold too much, you have to figure out your man.)

Online tend to be better at the small street folds because they don't have to wait as long for action.

This is good to know, thanks guys for the push in the right direction