online v live play

OK, enough of accusing online sites of being not totally above board, clearly a number of players take exception to this accusation and as I have no evidence to support it, I will accept what people say.

On reflection, there is another reason why bad beats seem more prevalent in online games - the style of the players.

I've been playing in a lot of big tournaments in the UK recently (where I am based). Generally, pro players have a low opinion of internet players copmpared to live players. This largely seems due to the pro's perception that internet players make questionable calls and moves and then hit lucky. Certainly, more players are prepared to go all in with marginal or weak hands online, or in a limit game to see the turn and river cards hoping to spike a pair, two pair or trips which often hits. If there are four players in a pot at the river, then a pocket AA is very likely to be beaten.

I guess I have to hold my hand up and say that I fall into this category as well.

For example, in a tough live game, I don't know many players who would go all in preflop from an early position with AQo or AJo, as these are marginal, not monster, hands, but this move is made a lot online, as is calling pre-flop all-ins with medium pairs such as JJ or TT. Even calling with QQ in this situation is dicey. It often succeeds online, but can be a very dangerous ploy.

It is true that live pros hate to lose to internet players as they find them difficult to read. They know that they could be holding anything.

Maybe internet players can teach us a lot about the game?

Cheers and good wishes to all who responded to a previous thread - it made for interesting reading.

wow. i never knew that people played different online than live.

if you want to read an internet guy, just look at his fingers and see if he is clicking an imaginary mouse. that will tell you all you need to know

i have to say im not as calculated when i play online. when i play in a casino i can take my time and analyze my opponents to see if their betting adds up. on the internet theres that stupid counter that adds pressure and sometimes im forced to act too quickly.

i definitely think my offline play is MUCH better. however, thats not to say that im not a profitable internet player. all the players who call with marginal hands are a goldmine...they can only statistically win so much.

Originally Posted by The_Cheat

wow. i never knew that people played different online than live.

if you want to read an internet guy, just look at his fingers and see if he is clicking an imaginary mouse. that will tell you all you need to know

never thought of that, must try it sometime!

Originally Posted by journey075

i have to say im not as calculated when i play online. when i play in a casino i can take my time and analyze my opponents to see if their betting adds up. on the internet theres that stupid counter that adds pressure and sometimes im forced to act too quickly.

i definitely think my offline play is MUCH better. however, thats not to say that im not a profitable internet player. all the players who call with marginal hands are a goldmine...they can only statistically win so much.

Yeah, I agree with what you are saying. Certainly it is not difficult to detect internet players in the casino and as a rule they are worth playing against, even though they will hit lucky and put you out of a tourney from time to time.

I suppose going all in online is less pressured than in a live game. There are no opponents staring at you to analyse you and you don't physically have to move your chips in - committing the chips or the cash physically can have an effect on players. Plus if you go out of an online tourney you can get into another one immediately most of the time - a luxury which is not always available in the casino.

The_Cheat is just messing with you.... that was a scene from the ESPN show "TILT" which you may not have seen in the UK.

shhh.... dont tell the foriegners my secrets