by Lee Meszaros

Created on: November 05, 2008

Comapring online poker and traditional poker. In the last 9 years on-line poker has grown tremendously to the point of tournament prize pools and cash games are as big as live games This has made online poker as popular if not more popular as the traditional brick and mortar card rooms. Online poker and traditional live poker are the same game just played at different styles. Online you can play multiple tables at the same time at a rate of about 3 times faster, which means at a brick and mortar casino you may play 30-40 hands an hour where on-line you will play 100+ hands an hour. Online poker has revolutionized the game as we knew it to a major sporting event now, as poker has reached far more prospects than ways of past.

Here are some poker fundamental comparisons and contrasts of online and live:

Tells: A poker tell is a form of reading your opponent for what cards they might be playing with, bluffing, etc. In live action play body language is everything as you can stare down your opponent in the eyes, look for body movements and facial expressions. On-line your tells generally are in betting patterns, stalling and reaction times, and notes. Both serve well in each style of play arguably some say on-line you cannot tell what the opponent is playing with this is not true it's a different style of analyzing the situation.

Notes: Taking notes on players that frequent the games you play online have become popular to keep tract of a players style of play (betting patterns, favorite cards, position raising, etc.). This is a valuable tool online as to how many tables can be played and to the different players from anywhere in the world at anytime, your notes can be recorded for later use in real time. In live action you must take mental notes in play and make records later if you plan on taking the game to professional level

Rake: The rake is a percentage the house takes from the players pot. Both on-line and b-n-m casinos collect rake as this is there profit for hosting the games we love to play. Generally live action casinos charge more for rake than on-line sites do being on-line poker is a lot cheaper to operate than a b-n-m casino which is a plus.

These are just a few comparisons of the two styles of poker play but major factors in a dollar and sense perspective. Personally I enjoy both styles of poker play and would suggest anyone new or seasoned to the game to try both out and make your own judgement call. If you are fond of the game I'm sure you will like them both as well, just take into consideration even though they are the same game there are two entirely different styles of play.

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