Internet Poker or Live Poker?

Welcome to the world's most popular card game - poker. For many years, people have played poker for the entertainment and moneymaking value it provides. In casinos, tournaments and online poker rooms, it seems that the whole world has fallen into an uncontrollable poker "addiction."

The introduction of Internet poker has contributed to the popularity of the game. Many poker players have their first taste of the game playing in Internet poker rooms. Similarly, many casino patrons and poker pros venture into Internet poker once in a while to win money and show off their playing prowess.

Although both Internet poker and live poker share the same game, they also have major differences. Knowing these differences will help you decide whether to play Internet poker or live (land-based) poker, or both.

EASE AND CONVENIENCE

Ask those who regularly visits a casino and they will tell you how inconvenient it is to play poker in a noisy, distracting atmosphere. If you participate in a live poker tournament, you can't help but get nervous and jittery. But play Internet poker and you'll play in a relaxed and hassle-free manner. You don't have to worry about noisy players, sexy girls or the watchful eyes of audiences. This way, you concentrate more on your playing skills and strategies that can make you win.

SPEED

Internet poker is faster than live poker in terms of the number of hands per hour. Watch any live poker tournament on TV and you can see the difference. Live poker moves at a slow pace and gives you enough time to think and mull over your decisions. Internet poker, on the other hand, is fast and you have to act in less than a minute per hand. If you are looking for quick money in a short span of time, Internet poker may be for you.

TELLS AND BLUFFS

You can't see your opponents' facial expressions and emotions when you play Internet poker. You can't do any bluffing because your opponents cannot see you. Reading poker tells and bluffing are valuable in live poker but are virtually ineffective in Internet poker.

However, the absence of tells is a blessing in disguise for Internet poker players. It doesn't matter if you jump for joy or smile wickedly when you get a killer hand because nobody can see you. But for poker pros, analyzing their opponents' tells can often mean the difference between defeat and victory.

Internet poker or live poker, that is the question. Depending on your personal preferences and motivations, you can choose the fast-paced, relaxed manner of Internet poker or the slow, careful play of live poker. Either way you play, you are assured of hours and hours of fun and enjoyment playing the world's favorite card game.