Why I love online poker . . .

[Turning Stone Pro]

I really should be getting back to work, but a quick story.

Over the weekend, I went to a local casino to play some live poker, after several months of straight online play. I wanted to get out of the house, away from the office, away from the computer, and see some old friends.

I heard a story (I did not see any of this first-hand) that two regular players had been "barred for life", in that there was an incident where a regular player dropped a wallet on the floor and several thousand dollars was taken out of it, and the wallet returned to the floor. The fellow that dropped the wallet is a likeable, friendly, higher limit player who loves action and is a pleasure to play against.

This information bothered me, big time. I then began to notice the cramped setting of the poker room, the noise, the obnoxious players, the slow dealers, etc.

I love the fact I can turn on the computer and play poker whenever I want, for any stakes, in an honest game, day or nite, I can chat if I want or I can turn the sound off, I can speak with good friends met over the years, and joke around with obnoxious on-liners if I care to.

If you had told me even 10 years ago that such a revolutionary concept would be possible, I'd have said you were crazy.

Thanks for allowing me to vent . . .

TSP

[bugstud]

you forgot the part where you're sitting next to a guy that smells like 1999

[mostsmooth]

dont always assume the online game is "honest"

[Steve Giufre]

Hey Joe,

I just heard that story yesterday. The way I understand it, he was really going bad in poker, and he had also taken a real beating booking sports bets. I guess he shut that down owing some people in that room a lot of money. It's really amazing what people are willing to do when things go bad. Definitely a little bit depressing.

[MicroBob]

The whole wallet thing doesn't bother me that much....I mean, the same thing is just as likely to happen in a non-casino environment too (although not with as much money involved).


I agree with the rest of your post though...including bugstud's addition about sitting next to people who smell.
Obviously getting in more than a snail's 30-35 hands an hour is a plus too.


Live play is okay for kicks sometimes...but factor in the long waiting-lists and everything else and it's kind of annoying.
At least the tables are non-smoking now (where I play at least).



I reserve the right to change my mind at any time on this by the way and come back here and say 'live play with a bunch of drunks is fun...sitting at home clicking buttons all day sucks.'

But...for now (and the past several months)...I'm in the 'live play is boring and annoying....online play is convenient and easy' camp.

[DcifrThs]

i commend you on your point of view.

its a far cry from your initial view that "online poker is rigged and im never playing again."

-Barron

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]
dont always assume the online game is "honest"

[/ QUOTE ]

I would actually be even more inclined to think there is collusion/cheating online

[Ponks]

I agree. And I'd hate to have to carry around all that cash to play. I don't think I've had had more then $200 in my wallet before and i dont think id like to carry around a couple thousand.

Ponks

[Klepton]

after a burnout of online play i like to go to commerce ot remind me why i enjoy online play so much...

after about 7 requests for setups in 30 minutes, i remember why i block chat

[flair1239]

Just playing small stakes this is especially true (for me anyways). There is nothing more annoying, than being stared down for 30 seconds by some 18 year old in sunglasses and a baseball cap as he agonises over whether to call a $6 check-raise. Add to that the inevitable annoying jack-ass who says "that's what I put you on" at every showdown win or lose.

Not saying that these people are ot profitable to play against, just rather not have to deal with them on a personal level.

That said me and my girlfriend play live occasionally as a cheaper alternative to going to a bar.