Online poker has become hugely popular with the web producing players who have gone on to conquer real world poker tournaments and allowing visitors to learn to play poker in the comfort of these own homes. Obviously you can find benefits to playing poker from your home, but there are also some downsides which could not obviously become apparent and the differences between real life poker and online poker can often be significant.

Pros of Online Poker

The first big benefit of online poker could it be offers unrivalled variety in comparison to offline options. There are literally thousands of poker games occurring constantly of the day and night and of course every conceivable selection of poker game is available to play if you try the right place. That is something few players actually benefit from, but switching up the game you play each and every time will improve your playing style as well as your poker knowledge in general. You could even perform ‘multi-tabling’, having multiple game windows running simultaneously to instantly raise the hourly winnings you collect from online tables.The second advantage is the less expensive buy-ins and the lower rake rates which internet casinos take from each game. Because there are no croupiers, security or buildings to keep up it is a lot cheaper to play poker online, with some tiny minimum bets and some sites even offering free poker games which can serve as an invaluable learning resource. Finally there’s the conveninence that playing online affords over real life poker. You can play in your dressing gown, it is possible to play dressed as a Storm Trooper, it is possible to play first thing in the morning or last thing at night and you don’t need to purchase casino drinks or food whilst you’re playing, which mount up if you venture out and play poker in true to life. It is possible to play poker online whilst you’re performing other tasks.

Cons of Online Poker

The initial negative side of internet poker is the speed at which hands are played. Because there is no delay in dealing or sorting out bets you’ll get through a game much quicker, so it’s easier to lose money quickly, especially if you’re a beginner. The speed also can contribute to a number of other issues. Firstly it’ll be a lot harder to follow what’s going on in a casino game, like following folds and keep a an eye on the prior actions up for grabs as you are able to do in true to life, as some individuals fold instantaneously or have their computers take action for them automatically using situations. This form of fast play can also result in a simplified, mechanical and ultimately boring poker lifestyle, which in the end is more likely to result in a habit-forming gambling problem. The second most obvious issue is the lack of physical connection with other players, meaning it’s a lot harder to out-bluff an opponent or observe any tells that will let you know whenever a player is bluffing. This can make high risk bets a lot riskier than they would maintain real life. It is rather hard to recreate the feel of a poker table online, though some companies do try and do that more than others.