So im having this discussion...
 

with my friend about why MTT tournaments online isn't just about the statistics. I am telling him it's so much more than just statistics and he simply says no since you can't read people online and put them on hands like you do in live poker. He keeps insisting on that it's impossible to make a read since you cannot look at people and observing people and their play is meaningless online since that adds nothing to your knowledge about them since you don't see them... I'm lost to be honest.

I showed him my guide to notes and he just said "thats crap, good players always bet the same so you can't get a read on them"... Sure, it's hard to find reads on good players but it is possible, believe me. But then he counter attack with "You don't see your opponents hands enough to make a good read on them" but that's aint necessary. So I am telling him you don't need to see their cards to get information, how they play their hand is enough for this and he says "nah never, you don't know how he played because you don't know his hand". I don't know how to counter this but I am right on this, I know that darn well.

This same person told me six months ago when I first started playing and got my first book that it was unnecessary for me to get a book since there is nothing in that book that he can't teach me. Of course, that was so wrong. I don't even think he knows the true meaning of semi-bluffing and playing in position. This is a guy that raise with A5o from UTG in a full ring table...

So in the end, please give me good arguments why it isn't just a statistical play online, I have told him everything I can but really, i'm not really a good convincer so to speak [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] . Is he a lost case? I know he is a nutjob but still, help me.

Re: So im having this discussion...
 

He's a lost cause...no need to educate, right [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

However, tells are tells. They just aren't the same as live play as you know.

Time to bet, betting patterns combined with shown down hands, post flop play, etc. it all adds up to a smiliar picture like you'd get playing live.

Re: So im having this discussion...
 

Its people like this that give people like us money!! He doesnt really sound that convincable though. Just take comfort in the face that you're right.

Re: So im having this discussion...
 

just smile, nod, and ask him when the next home game is.

Re: So im having this discussion...
 

*tap tap*

Re: So im having this discussion...
 

[ QUOTE ]
*tap tap*

[/ QUOTE ]

nh sir

Re: So im having this discussion...
 

Best read - some players will fold on the riv 100% of the time if they miss. Any bet will do it. I usually find at least 2-3 of these types in a typical MTT.

Re: So im having this discussion...
 

Well I think it's clear that your friend has far too narrow a view of the online game (and a hell of an ego to boot), it should be noted that, for me at least, in a sense, the vast majority of reads I make are derived from statistics.

Re: So im having this discussion...
 

[ QUOTE ]
just smile, nod, and ask him when the next home game is.

[/ QUOTE ]

Re: So im having this discussion...
 

I make reads all the time online such as: 2+2, porn, 2+2, porn, etc....
Oh yeah, and I base a lot of my play on stats, live and online.