We Play Poker Online

While online and live poker can certainly compliment each other to improve your overall game, there are some subtle differences between the two that require you to adjust your play. Live casino-based poker has been around since the 15th Century and much has been documented to help players compete at bricks and mortar establishments in a live playing environment. Online poker is relatively new and the online pros were considered a new breed and given less credence than the live poker players. Recent stars such as Tom Dwann have however proved that an online poker upbringing can translate to big wins at world class live events such as WSOP. So what’s so different? Below we investigate the nuances between online and live poker action.

Out of sight, out of mind

The key difference between playing live, face-to-face poker and online poker is that you cannot see you opponent. For a game based 50% on psychological posturing, this is a huge disadvantage. Poker ‘tells’ are subtle but generally detectable changes in a player’s behaviour. They are bad habits that give clues to his or her assessment of his hand. A player gains a great advantage if he or she can pick up on and interpret the meaning of his or her opponent’s tells. In live poker, it is relatively easy for an experienced player to decipher body language and verbal cues in order to assign a player type to their opponent i.e. decide whether they are tight-passive players and predict more accurately their next move. In online poker, this line of sight is gone and thus, effectively, a poker sense gone with it. Or is it? Poker software has advanced so much that there is a wealth of information available on our opponents, if we just know where to look for it.

Reading online poker tells

In live poker, the player looks out for the habits and actions of one’s opponent when betting and playing. Online poker players are forced to do more on the analysis of these actions because of the physical constraints and lack of visual stimulus. Now, the online players must concentrate on their opponents’ betting patterns: what they bet on and how fast they bet. The keenness, experience and practice of the player will determine how long they take to act and how often that action leads them to a successful outcome.

The stall
If a player doesn’t act immediately upon his turn, it doesn’t necessarily mean that player is struggling, it could actually mean that he or she has a good hand. One of the most popular timing bluffs is called the ‘stall’. The stall is used to indicate that an inexperienced player had a strong hand and stalled a bit before acting upon his turn. This behaviour is also used as strategy in faking and tricking the opponents. Of course, don’t underestimate the effect of multi-tabling. If a player is involved in multiple games, their timing may be erratic anyway. You need to look at the outcomes of these plays as the game progresses to paint a picture of the stalling person’s true nature.

Speed trials
If a lot of players are active in many games at once, then there will be a great effect on the speed. The fluctuations and changes of the speed of the game can also be used to interpret the game. Although this tactic can be quite hard, a lot of pro players do it and memorize the pace and what happened after a set of actions.

Regulating play
If a player is only involved in one game, then it is easier to interpret their poker tells. For instance, the player is betting at a steady pace and suddenly stops, and takes a long break before making his next move. Players should analyze whether their opponents who act like this are beginners or advanced players. In order to have better interpretations, players should be familiar with the crowd and get more experience by practicing and playing more.

Peaking at cards
In many online rooms these days, the software reflects when a player looks at their cards. This is particularly true in 3D rooms. If you peak at your cards before you make a bet, this can be a huge giveaway to your opponents. If you regularly check your cards it could indicate excitement at a good hand or alternatively nervousness as low, unmemorable, unconnected cards. Your opponent will soon figure out the likelihood of your emotions based on your previous betting patterns, especially if you keep leaking signs like constant card checks.

Chat function
Some players overuse the chat functions in online card rooms to their detriment. Many players try to bluff through chat or put you on tilt by being insulting. In many cases these players will take their eye off the ball and make a mistake. Depending on their patterns of chat in relation to the outcome of their bets, raises and so on, you may be able to read between the lines.

Poker analytics

There are a number of poker rooms that allow you to access game statistics. You can assess your folds, raises, bets and outcomes to find out where you went wrong or determine what kind of player you are. You can also assess your opponent’s play to learn where they outplayed you or analyse what kind of player they are. Third party software companies such as PokerOffice have many analytical packages that can help you with card probabilities and much more besides. Just make sure that any third party software you decide to use is accepted by your poker room. In the interest of fair play, some rooms don’t allow it at all and you could face a ban from the site if you’re caught.