I respect the guys who used to play for a living in casinos.

[BeerMoney]

When I look at all of the resources I have a available to make me a better player, and I still suck, I am amazed at how much more talent the old school types of players must have had.

Resources for me:
1.) Awesome 2+2 books.
2.) Two plus two forums.
3.) PokerTracker .. Well, i don't have this cause I primarily play stud.

Other things that make $$ playing online easier.
1.) Lower Rake
2.) No tip
3.) No drink temptations
4.) Easier to be mobile for a good game selection
5.) I'm imagining todays games are way softer than games in the past.

So, there are people who were able to beat these casino games and make a living off of it while I am able to play a ton of hands, gain experience, etc, and am still just squeaking by.

[BarronVangorToth]

[ QUOTE ]


3.) No drink temptations



[/ QUOTE ]


Because no one has alcohol in their home...? Yes, I realize that you will say that you don't have said temptations, but I think for some there is MORE temptation at home, between not worrying about driving home after a session so playing plastered is acceptable, especially with online being filled with terrible players everywhere you look (even in the mirror, in my case).

Barron Vangor Toth
www.BarronVangorToth.com (http://www.BarronVangorToth.com)

[Niediam]

Don't forget though that online players are about a million times better on average than the casino players...

[bobbyi]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]


3.) No drink temptations



[/ QUOTE ]

Because no one has alcohol in their home...? Yes, I realize that you will say that you don't have said temptations, but I think for some there is MORE temptation at home, between not worrying about driving home after a session so playing plastered is acceptable, especially with online being filled with terrible players everywhere you look (even in the mirror, in my case).

[/ QUOTE ]
The temptation would be higher in a casino game because you are in a social atmosphere where a lot of people are drinking. I was in a game this weekend where a guy who was running really well (it's rare to see stacks of black chips in a 20/40) was ordering rounds for the whole table (due to stupid Washington State Gambling Commission rules, the casinos don't give free drinks). He had had several doubles and several singles of whiskey and everyone else was getting progressivley drunker. When you're in an environment like that and he is friendly and offers to buy you a drink, I think there's a lot more temptation (although I never drink while playing). At least I can't imagine sitting at home playing online and saying "gee, I think I'll do a shot".

(I also think that this is one reasons that the games in a casino are so much softer than online.)

[Wally Weeks]

[ QUOTE ]
The temptation would be higher in a casino game because you are in a social atmosphere where a lot of people are drinking. I was in a game this weekend where a guy who was running really well (it's rare to see stacks of black chips in a 20/40) was ordering rounds for the whole table (due to stupid Washington State Gambling Commission rules, the casinos don't give free drinks). He had had several doubles and several singles of whiskey and everyone else was getting progressivley drunker. When you're in an environment like that and he is friendly and offers to buy you a drink, I think there's a lot more temptation (although I never drink while playing). At least I can't imagine sitting at home playing online and saying "gee, I think I'll do a shot".

(I also think that this is one reasons that the games in a casino are so much softer than online.)

[/ QUOTE ]

It can also be said that the home has many tempting distractions. Mainly, if you're playing online I noticed that it is really tempting to be surfing, say, the two plus two forums and not really pay attention to your game(s). So if you're listening to music, watching/listening to the tube, reading, and playing multiple tables, it probably hurts a lot of player's bottomline. Of course, there are a few people that can do this, but I think they are effectively ignoring the distractions. Some people, like myself, do not like to work in a completely dead and silent environment. In effect, silence is distracting to me because I grew up with the TV or music always on regardless of whether I was listening/watching.

About the booze... I found that the best way to decline a drink is to say that you are a recovering alchoholic, or have some sort of problems with it (e.g., medication, etc.), assuming you don't know the player. Most people seem to respect your reasons for declining. You can also say, "hey, I just saved you a couple of bucks to buy that girl over there a drink" or something.

And when trying to get yourself to ignore temptation, remind yourself that discipline is a key to long term poker success. Those extra bets you win from the drunks can be used to stock your bar at home. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

Regards,
Walter

[meow_meow]

not to mention multi-tabling...

[Piers]

[ QUOTE ]
I respect the guys who used to play for a living in casinos.

[/ QUOTE ]

Only 30 hands an hour. Its difficult to imagine how it was possable.

[dogmeat]

I played for a living in the 1980's (yeah, before most of you were probably born). Sklansky has been publising since 1976, Super System came out in '78. Poker Player and other newspapers were available as well as other books.

If you played even $5/$10 and made $15 an hour, that may not have been a lot, but $30,000 a year went a long way 20 years ago compared to today.

When California legalized all forms of poker (again, about 20 years ago) the games were fantastic. Good players make 2BB/hour and better players made 2.5-3BB/hour for more than a year as players learned hold'em; and yes, the players were really bad.

It wasn't that tough.

Dogmeat /images/graemlins/spade.gif

[defyodds]

online players are defintely worst than the average casino players,especially at the middle limits(pp 10-20 and 15-30)
they are extremely worst at games other than hold em where you can't use poker tracker or what ever form of legal cheating is available. why do I call it cheating: because you have an unfair advantage over the other players.stats should be available to all or none or you should use your head to develop a strategy. My opinion only. Just a little side note we used to consider it cheating if a guy changed the order of his cards in stud.--I know very few people will agree with me. I'll probaly order poker tracker pretty soon myself.( If you can't beat em, join em)

[TheBusiness]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The temptation would be higher in a casino game because you are in a social atmosphere where a lot of people are drinking. I was in a game this weekend where a guy who was running really well (it's rare to see stacks of black chips in a 20/40) was ordering rounds for the whole table (due to stupid Washington State Gambling Commission rules, the casinos don't give free drinks). He had had several doubles and several singles of whiskey and everyone else was getting progressivley drunker. When you're in an environment like that and he is friendly and offers to buy you a drink, I think there's a lot more temptation (although I never drink while playing). At least I can't imagine sitting at home playing online and saying "gee, I think I'll do a shot".

(I also think that this is one reasons that the games in a casino are so much softer than online.)

[/ QUOTE ]

It can also be said that the home has many tempting distractions. Mainly, if you're playing online I noticed that it is really tempting to be surfing, say, the two plus two forums and not really pay attention to your game(s). So if you're listening to music, watching/listening to the tube, reading, and playing multiple tables, it probably hurts a lot of player's bottomline. Of course, there are a few people that can do this, but I think they are effectively ignoring the distractions. Some people, like myself, do not like to work in a completely dead and silent environment. In effect, silence is distracting to me because I grew up with the TV or music always on regardless of whether I was listening/watching.

About the booze... I found that the best way to decline a drink is to say that you are a recovering alchoholic, or have some sort of problems with it (e.g., medication, etc.), assuming you don't know the player. Most people seem to respect your reasons for declining. You can also say, "hey, I just saved you a couple of bucks to buy that girl over there a drink" or something.

And when trying to get yourself to ignore temptation, remind yourself that discipline is a key to long term poker success. Those extra bets you win from the drunks can be used to stock your bar at home. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

Regards,
Walter

[/ QUOTE ]

In conclusion, I have to disagree with you both. I have found that heavy drinking actually improves one's poker skills, and I encourage you all to drink heavily during your poker sessions.

[bobbyi]

[ QUOTE ]
About the booze... I found that the best way to decline a drink is to say that you are a recovering alchoholic, or have some sort of problems with it (e.g., medication, etc.), assuming you don't know the player.

[/ QUOTE ]
Honestly, I find it works fine to just say "no thanks". Whoever is offering doesn't care that much and I didn't feel the need to bring him down with a depressing story about being an alcoholic or to lie.

[bernie]

Ask for bottled water.

b

[pottie]

[ QUOTE ]
In conclusion, I have to disagree with you both. I have found that heavy drinking actually improves one's poker skills, and I encourage you all to drink heavily during your poker sessions.

[/ QUOTE ]

I second this

[Niediam]

Are you kidding me? The average online .5/1 game is harder than the average 3/6 live game anywhere that I know of...