Online Poker Vs Offline Poker - What is the Difference?

Poker is poker. Well, sort of...The poker rules - whether you are playing online or offline, are the same. A flush beats a straight online just like it does at a live poker game. And the ultimate goal of poker - to extract chips from your opponents doesn't differ regardless of where you are playing the game. However, that is about it when it comes to similarities between offline and online poker. The online poker games are much different, in so many ways, from what you'd experience in a live poker room.

1. You Can't Hide a Bad Poker Face in Casino

The biggest weakness of most novice players is the inability to hide their emotions. If you are on tilt due to a few bad beats, you can't hide it from your opponents. The opponents can easily figure out that you are on a tilt. However, that is simply not the case with online poker. In an online poker room, the opponent can't see you and you cant see him/her. So that plays to an advantage for novice players.

2. More Horrible Poker Players Online

If you play poker online, you don't have to look your opponents in the eye or play against them face-to-face. People tend to act differently in person than they do online. Online poker players will play more hands and chase more draws because they don't have to worry about the inevitable criticism faced while playing offline. So, that's another plus point for you. If your opponents want to chase draws and play junk pocket cards, that means more money for you.

3. Significant Difference in Strategy

While the basic concept of poker remains the same, the great online poker players play differently than live poker players. Since you can't rely at all on physical tells in online poker games, you need to be more focused on picking up on betting habits and researching your opponent's history. Whereas, in offline poker, you can pick up on physical tells in order to gain insight into what hand your opponent is holding.

When you play poker online, you have to be a little more creative. You can check your opponent's stats but, unless you have played with that opponent, you won't really understand their style just from those stats. How you play against such opponents significantly differs online from offline. Online poker requires a more analytical thought process as opposed to offline poker. Live poker requires more focus on instincts and hiding emotions.

Final Verdict: Online Poker is More Convenient

Online poker and playing poker in a live casino are both great. Don't think if you play poker in a casino is a waste of time. Some people prefer playing poker offline since it is easier to judge your opponent's poker face. But, online poker is simply more convenient than playing in a live poker room. Even if you have plenty of poker rooms nearby, online poker is more convenient since you can play poker online from the comfort of your own home. You don't have to get dressed, take a shower, or drive to a casino just to play poker. So, play poker online and earn as much money as you can.