Poker Articles

I recently had the privilege of traveling to Aruba to play in the Aruba Poker Classic.  Along with giving many online players the opportunity to meet many of the faces behind the screen names, it also gave many online players a chance to party....I mean play a live poker tournament.  I will not pretend to be an expert in live tournaments, as I have played in about as many live tournaments as I play in two days online; however, I do think that some of the differences between online poker and live poker I have observed can help when moving away from the screen and on to the felt.  I realize I am making generalizations, but on average, I believe them to be true.

1. The Lack of Exact Numeric Information

One major difference I struggled with was the lack of correct numeric information at all times.  Dealers cannot tell you how much exactly is in the pot, and you will not have an accurate count of every player’s chip count every single hand.  In an online tournament, you can figure out an exact M or big blind number of every player and determine who is short, medium, large, and everywhere in between.  In live play, chip stacks can be deceiving and the only way to really know how much a player has is to ask for a chip count during a hand.  Mathematical players need to take this into consideration.  An easy thing to do is come back early from break and look at every stack and count what each player has. 

2. Image

In the most plain and simple terms, image is more important and easier to identify.  Being fully aware of your image and using it to your advantage is huge.  This is really nothing new to most poker players online or live.  Compared to online, it’s easier to remember a face than a screen name (unless an online player has an extremely effective tilt-inducing avatar).  Whether it is the fact that you cannot multi-table or you are just paying more attention, you will keep better track of your opponents.  This fact is huge in knowing how to exploit the weakest players at your table.  In order to answer important image questions, I would seriously recommend putting away the iPods and start listening to the other players.  If you can do both, great, but there is crucial information out there in the form of other’s conversations, announce bets, etc. that you do not want to miss.

3. Showed Hands

Live poker is obviously more of a social game than online poker.  Humans with any heart at all feel obligated to connect with other humans.  In live poker, this leads to more hands being shown between players.  There is no auto-muck button in live poker. I hardly ever show a hand in an online game. In live poker, that gets thrown out the window.  I feel obligated to go along with the ebb and flow of the table.  Some tables have players constantly showing hands, while others will have none. 

My advice in this aspect is that you can discipline your play to the point where you never show an uncalled hand or choose to incorporate showing hands into your game with a strategic mindset.  You should learn how to do both to your advantage because both can help.  Giving the courtesy to an opponent to show a hand in a nice pot may get you the courtesy later.  That courtesy may be the key to unlocking the mystery of your opponent’s play.  Showing the big blind your premium hand could help you down the road when you need to pick up his blind again.  These are only a few examples, but I feel I’m constantly finding different ways to incorporate showing a hand.  If you never want to show a hand, that is fine as well, but I think being able to incorporate both makes the game both more fun and strategic.

4. Short Stack Advantage

I have not figured out if it is a lack of experience in short stack situations or just a lack of knowledge about short stack poker, but live players play worse short stack poker than online players.  Live players panic when they have a self-perception of being a short-stack.  It has happened in every tournament I’ve played in live where a player pushes for 20-30+ big blinds when they suddenly think they are a short stack.  I know it’s the short stack panic because I’ve listened to players say how short they thought they were.  While the math is not always apparent with other players' stacks, you will always be able to know your M or big blind number.  I’m not sure I can say how to exploit the short stack weakness of other players, but I do think every player must be aware of it.

5. Busting out hurts more

It just does.  You do not have another tournament to play right away with the click of a mouse.  Often you can invest multiple days in a tournament and not even cash.  I think this also leads to more chops near the end of a tournament.  The time alone can be a grind, so if you are someone that does not like to chop, be prepared to go the distance.

Other Tips

• The end of the day is extremely difficult, especially after a dinner break.  Dinner puts me into a food coma, and I lose focus very easily.  Be aware of how you eat.

• If you are going to drink alcohol, you are going to have to pee....scientific fact.

• If you are playing in a live tournament, read the rules of the tournament.  It’s important to know what is considered illegal.  If you are out of line, apologize sincerely.

• Announce the amount of your bet.  This is the easiest way to prevent common mistakes.  You will not string raise or put in the wrong amount because the verbal statement will be binding. 

My Lecture

This applies to most things in life, but always be respectful at a poker table.  Many players I know enjoy playing online because they do not have to listen to other poker players.  I know this is the case for me.  Often the lack of disrespect for dealers, the floor, and other players is out of control.  If you get into a sticky situation, keep your cool and explain clearly what happened to the floor.  Mistakes are made a lot at the poker table.  Players act out of turn, string raise, put the wrong amount in, give away their hand, and there is nothing you can do about it except react in an appropriate manner.  There is no need to cause a scene, constantly bitch, or complain about everything.  Every mistake does not need to turn into a verbal confrontation.  It is annoying and not a single poker player enjoys it.  No one enjoys the company of a disrespectful person.  Live poker is not the internet chat box. 

In closing, live poker can really build confidence.  If you are in a rut online, I strongly recommend finding a live tournament to play.  The general focus put into one table with nine other real players has helped me to point out weaknesses in my game that can be converted back to the virtual felt. 

kice32