There are far more online poker players than there are people who play poker in a casino. In fact, many online poker players have never even set foot in a “brick and mortar” casino before for a variety of reasons. For one, many poker players do not have access to legal poker rooms based on the legal restrictions where they live. Others may be intimidated by being face to face with other players. However, live poker is often easier for online players once they become accustomed to the differences.

An online player, who has access to a casino, owes it to themselves as a player to experience the thrill of live play. Playing live means being able to read and observe other players and potentially have an edge in ways that are not possible online. The online player may be intimidated by the physical aspect of playing in a casino, but the fact is that most of the players at lower limits in casinos are there for recreation. Also, as an online player, one often has more poker experience due the faster pace of online play.

Typically in casinos, the lowest limits for limit Texas Hold’em or Omaha will be $2/$4. When you consider the number of tables at micro and low limits online, the $2/$4 table may, at first, seem to be above one’s budget and skill level. However, in live play, at $2/$4, the skill levels are often comparable to what you might find at a $0.25/$0.50 table online. There are many reasons for this. First, online one can typically play 100 hands per hour or more at faster tables. In a casino, you might only expect 30 to 40 hands per hour. Also, a casino typically has a limited number of tables available whereas an online casino will open up a new table as long as there is demand. A live casino has geographic limitations compared to an online casino which accepts players from around the world. Finally, at an online casino, you can “multi-table” which is impossible at an online poker room. This means that a good player can easily play 400 or 500 hands per hour of $0.25/$0.50 limit Hold ‘em online and make much more than a good player in a casino playing $2/$4.

It is for these reasons that you are unlikely to find a professional or consistently winning player at a $2/$4 table in a “brick and mortar” casino, but you will find some professional players online at $0.25/$0.50 tables. Don’t let the higher limits of live casinos intimidate you if you are successful at lower limits online. Unless you have very obvious tells, if you are successful online at low limit, you should be even better live at low limit poker. Playing live will improve your skills and make you a more rounded player. Take advantage of the opportunity the next time you find yourself near a casino. The experience will improve your play and make you a much more rounded player.

By: T W Knight

About the Author:

This article is all about online casino poker gambling and how to create the best image for your player.

When you are sitting at a table, your poker image means everything. In no limit Texas Hold’em especially, if you appear weak to your opponents, they are going to bulldoze over you all day. This is why it is important to create an image at the table and use it to your advantage.

Images at the table can be broken down into three basic categories. There is going to be the group of players that everyone can obviously tell that these guys are new to the game and are just absolutely terrible. Sometimes you can find a player that will pretend like he is not very experienced but he indeed has been playing for many years. These players are referred to as sharks.

The second image that is used is calling a player loose. This means that they player is getting into a lot of pots even if he does not have the cards to support it. He is there to gamble and is feeling lucky. Loose players are the easiest to take chips from but if you are not careful, you can try to catch them at the wrong time and they will be sitting with the nuts and your stack will be shifting their way.

The last image is being labeled a tight player. These players sit at the table patiently and wait for premium hands to get involved in pots. There cards are not often showed down and when they are, the chips will typically be headed their way.

Being a tight player at the table is the best image to have at the table because no only are you going to be making sure that you are involved in pots where you have good cards, but your opponents are going to assume that you also have a good hand when you are in as well. Say for example you have AK and make a strong raise before the flop. You might get one maybe even two players to call but not many more since they know that you have been playing tight all day. When the flop comes out and you blank it entirely, you can use your tight image to your favor and fire out bets knowing that you don’t have anything, but the other players respecting your tight play will fold their hands believing that you have a made hand.

By: Sean Moranse

About the Author: