Why so much online play?

[beerbandit]

I play both online and live poker. The live outweighing the internet by far. In the live games I play 10-20HE, 15-30HE, 20-40HE, and sometimes pot-limt Omaha. When I play online I prefer to play at much lower stakes. I just don't like the idea of putting a lot of money into a game that I'm not sure of. I see that much of the discussion on this forum is about online games. Which I guess it would be-since the online players obviously have access to a computer and the interent. (Directed towards the online players who play 10-20+) Are you not near a casino or do you prefer that type of game better? I'd rather have stacks of chips in front of me and the ability to see the other players.

Thank You-

[Paluka]

I'd rather play 300 hands an hour than 35. That is the main reason.

[astroglide]

300+ hands per hour, no travel, no wait, no tipping, ability to watch tv / browse the internet / read email / etc while playing, access to tools like pokertracker.

[Al_Capone_Junior]

[ QUOTE ]
(Directed towards the online players who play 10-20+) Are you not near a casino or do you prefer that type of game better?

[/ QUOTE ]

The answer is that I would FAR rather be playing in a casino, but currently don't live near one. That will change soon, as I am about to move to vegas in the next month, and will spend time in my RV going back and forth between vegas and southern california.

the main advantage to online play is the availability of stud and stud-8 games, at least for me.

al

[OrangeHeat]

Why play online?

1. I am in the comfort of my home.
2. I don't have to drive. I get home from work - poker is minutes away. No sleepy driving after sessions.
3. No smoke.
4. Comfortable chair/floor/sofa whatever.
5. Multiple tables - 250-300 hands per hour
6. Waiting lists - Might wait 3-4 minutes at the most to get into 4 games.
7. Game selection - You see who is where and how the action is.
8. Variety - Tourneys, sit-n-go's, ring games, limit, no-limit, etc.....
9. Large aquarium decor - At least one major site is infected with fish.
10. Stats - On screen and available through Pokertracker.
11. Notes - Excellent way to adjust your game based on the table/people.
12. Earning potential even at lower limits is astounding if your a capable player.
13. I like it.

If your just in it for the people/recreation B&M is probably the way to go. If your in it for money - there is no available B&M that I have encountered that will allow you to make more $/hr at each limit (multiple tables, oodles of hands, etc....)

My short list. I am sure others have more.

Orange

[blockafor]

Smaller rake.

[Ulysses]

A couple more reasons:

If you feel like playing a little poker, you can just log on and play 15-30 minutes or whatever. I do that all the time.

Lots of shorthanded games.

[nykenny]

[ QUOTE ]
A couple more reasons:

If you feel like playing a little poker, you can just log on and play 15-30 minutes or whatever. I do that all the time.

Lots of shorthanded games.

[/ QUOTE ]

First, I also try to limit my hours to 1 or 2 per sessoin. with live games it involves 30min travel at least, and 10-30 min waiting, then I force myself play at least 3 - 4 hours.

But online, I can play many tables at the same time, and play whenever i want for however long i want. Can you play 6 15-30 games at once and quit after 2 hours knowing you have just played ALOT of poker? I think not.

Moreover, there are more short handed games online if I am in the mood. In live games, can you stop the next player joining your 5 player 20-40 holdem?? hehehehhh /images/graemlins/grin.gif

Kenny

[Franchise (TTT)]

Playing many more hands/hr at a lower limit => higher $/hr rate with a lower bankroll requirement.

And of course, all those other things.

If you're looking to improve your skills quickly, I think a good mixture of the two is the way to go. Use your online time to play a ridiculously large number of hands in very little time with a semi-autopilot mindset, trying to make good (well, not terrible anyway) plays. Then step into a cardroom and try and take in everything and work on your ability to make the best possible decision for every play.

[Analyst]

I've never played online, and likely never will. The live, face-to-face aspect is one of the things that makes B&M play fun. Online play looks like just another video game though I admit that I'm speaking without direct experience.

That said, the logistical advantages of online play are a very strong point for someone like me who has very limited time to play. Not enough to make it an attractive option, though I can understand the attraction of multi-table online play after a 1 1/2 hour B&M session where I saw 1 turn and 1 river.

[mikelow]

I tend to be more under control when I have to travel somewhere to gamble. I've given up offshore sports betting, and I'm likely to give up on online poker also.

[Ulysses]

Funny, I felt exactly the same way as you. And with multiple B&Ms within 15 minutes of me, I never bothered with online. Until late last year when I decided to give it a shot. After a couple of months of playing, I couldn't stand B&M limit poker anymore. 35 hands/hr is near unbearable after getting used to 250+ hands/hr.

I still really enjoy playing no-limit live (and it's far superior and more interesting in many ways than online NL) and I also enjoy going to the cardroom with buddies to go drink a couple of beers and play some cards.

But when it comes to satisfying my card-playing-jones, online poker is definitely the thing for me.

[SA125]

I know guys on here swear by online and I respect that. I believe there's a definite problem with it and I've seen it on both Party and PokerStars.

In a casino you can sit down and sometimes not get a playable hand for a long time. There's some movement at the table, but usually not that much.

Online, you see guys constantly coming in and out of the game with ridiculously low bankrolls, like $70 for 5-10, and I initially couldn't figure out why.

It's because a new guy at the table is guaranteed to get at least one winning hand. Sooner rather than later. Anyone who says that isn't true, I respect your opinion, but I say it's obvious.

I'm not saying it's rigged for a specific player. I am saying it's programmed to make sure a new player doesn't go very long without a winner. That's not guaranteed in a B&M game.

Like I said, I know guys here love it and swear by it. Great and I respect that. Anyone who says the new guy in a game doesn't always get a hand, every single new guy, just isn't seeing what I'm saying is obvious.

Okay, open the flood gates. /images/graemlins/smile.gif