How hard is the transition from online to live?

[scottychase]

Almost most all of my success with poker has been online. However Im trying to make a transition from online to live. It's really a lot harder than I thought with all of my buy-ins getting stacked. Anyone with experience battling this type of transition, some pointers would be very helpful.

 

[choprav]

Almost most all of my success with poker has been online. However Im trying to make a transition from online to live. It's really a lot harder than I thought with all of my buy-ins getting stacked. Anyone with experience battling this type of transition, some pointers would be very helpful.

I play pretty much the same way, not try to pick up tells and cues more from your opponents

 

[louuu19]

a lot of factors get in play when you transition to live poker, you have to focus mainly at hiding your emotions and maintaining a poker face, and you should not be distracted by what the opponents do although it can be a good source of information, GL with your journey anyway

 

[Juancii]

I've been wondering this for a while. I've never played live and i think it would be extremely hard to hide emotions. I'm really used to complain when i lose and celebrate when i win

 

[Pokerpoet2]

I played On-line for years before I went to a Live game and yes it is very hard to transition into Live games, but once you realise that everyone there is in the same boat as you, just at a different stage in their Poker career, it becomes easier.
Try making rules for yourself, like my favourite rule number 1. If you ain't had to pay, you don't have to play. Meaning if you have not posted a blind there is no reason to get involved.
Now I am not saying you should fold every hand until you post a Blind, but you have to have a good reason to call or raise if you have not already invested in the pot.
Yes sometimes you fold 7/10 before the Flop and it turns out you folded the winning hand, when the River would have given you a straight, it happens, but are you really going to fish with every possible combination of any two cards?
Poker is a game of Patience, and it takes time to adapt to live events, but I would certainly rather play them, than clicking a mouse button.
The only bit of advice I can give is be patient, stay focused on a basic bankroll Management Strategy, and you will not go too far wrong. Don't think for one minute that because you win one Free-roll MTT that you can go and crush in a Live game because it rarely happens.
I find the Social Interaction between players in Live events much more rewarding, and I enjoy the atmosphere in a Casino as much as the game itself.

 

[sumdumguy]

Playing live is exciting and we're clear on that, if you have friends who like and know, play with them and get a little familiar with the card distribution system, why do I tell you this? We are used to playing online for years so we suppose that in the software we already know the game to the machine! Live the game is slow and if you ever feel pressure when playing online, live is more so, online if you lose your bank there is a freeroll to start again, live you lose your bank you end up mortgaging your life:Roflmao:, seriously I see it as a good change, positive always. I wish you success colleague.

 

[ADRI7HO]

The game is much slower live, but you can get more information about the opponents based on the physical tells.

 

[hardongear]

Idk honestly don't remember finding it overly hard other then hiding emotions at the table and being nervous at first. If anything if you're a near even or winning player online you'll do fine live. Online has tougher villains by far in my 15-20+ years of experience. And live there is just way tells and information available. Most people are terrible at hiding emotions.

The best advice I was given about the switching over. If you don't have a friend/friends or anyone to help you'll have to use a mirror and camera/phone to record. Practice dealing out cards face down and then looking at yours filming or having your friends look for a reaction from you. If video and using a mirror you can watch the video for yourself and notice any reaction you have to first seeing you cards. Do this till you or your friends can't notice a reaction.

My buddy and me also ran a home game for a awhile before our first visit to the casino together and discuss poker, improving and helping each other with our tells and hiding our emotions.

Others may have other advice or tips. The above way helped me I'm sure. There really isn't much you can do about being nervous the first few times except get there and over come it. Maybe you have a friend who can help and take this journey with you? I did made it easier and calmed both or nerves a bit we both still plenty nervous thou.

Good luck with the journey and have fun.


Cheers!!!

 

[RustyRed83]

It's not that hard in terms of the game. It is the mental side of things that need focus, dont trust anyone that tries to become your friend, people will try to exploit weakness by there speechplay. Learn to use this to your advantage as well.

 

[Gh0stL]

Hi, I think that play in live is more difficult, because if you won’t control your action very well, you should be give more clues about your way to play poker, and is not only your face is all your body, a then if you can control this things you can go in live.

 

[successlaw]

When I switch from 8-9 tables online to 1 single table live I feel very bored

 

[istbno]

The transition from online poker to live poker can present some challenges, but with proper adjustment and preparation, it is certainly manageable. Here are some factors to consider when transitioning from online to live poker:

1. Physical Environment: Live poker is played in a different setting compared to online poker. You will be sitting at a physical table with other players, which may require adapting to the dynamics of face-to-face interaction, physical cues, and live reads. The presence of distractions, noise, and other players' behaviors can also impact your concentration and decision-making.
2. Pace of Play: Live poker tends to have a slower pace compared to online poker. This means you'll have fewer hands per hour and more time to make decisions. Adjusting to this slower pace can require patience and the ability to stay focused during downtime.
3. Timing and Tells: In online poker, timing is often automated, and physical tells are minimal. In live poker, players' timing of bets and actions can provide valuable information, as well as their physical behavior, facial expressions, and body language. Learning to read and interpret these live tells can be a significant aspect of the transition.
4. Limited Multitabling: Online poker allows players to play multiple tables simultaneously, whereas live poker generally restricts you to a single table. This shift from multitabling to focusing on a single table can require a different mindset and adjustment to the pace of decision-making.
5. Bankroll Management: Live poker often involves higher stakes compared to online poker, which may require adjusting your bankroll management strategy. Ensuring you have an adequate bankroll to withstand the higher variance in live games is essential for long-term success.
6. Social Interaction: Live poker provides an opportunity for social interaction with other players. Engaging in table talk, managing conversations, and interpreting social dynamics can be different from the online environment. Building rapport and managing your image at the table can be important factors in live play.

To make the transition smoother, it's recommended to gradually introduce yourself to live games by starting with lower stakes. Take the time to observe and learn from the live environment, practice reading physical cues, and adapt to the slower pace. Additionally, seek opportunities to play live poker in a casino or cardroom to gain experience and become more comfortable in that setting.

With practice, experience, and a willingness to adapt, you can successfully transition from online to live poker and enjoy the unique aspects and challenges that live play offers.

 

[takinitSLEAZEE]

Almost most all of my success with poker has been online. However Im trying to make a transition from online to live. It's really a lot harder than I thought with all of my buy-ins getting stacked. Anyone with experience battling this type of transition, some pointers would be very helpful.

Trying to fit into a room that's full of regs is going to be difficult at first, mainly because the players you're going to play against are familiar to live play so making an image for yourself will be key. If you have to, wear some shades or a hat to hide your expressions until you've got your poker-mug down to a stoic display; it can't hurt.
Also, try to remember to announce your bets/raises. This will indicate you have worthy holdings to the rest of the table... Usually. GL.

 

[Stringy]

in part I think they are two different type of games that need to be managed in separate ways

 

[ninja415]

I think it is harder to transition to online from live, rather than vice versa.

 

[goaldriversv]

Biggest for me was the slower pace, fewer hands per hour obviously bc there’s not quick button to click, and realizing that 3x raise won’t deter bettors from playing. Most will just call live no matter what

 

[jose_saleh]

I only have one live experience at tourneys, but I can tell you the transition it's hard, you have to take care from your rivals since they're scanning you permanently, and when you play online you don't have to worry about what you have around you. I would suggest you to practice your poker face and your attitude before you get in a live poker table.

 

[dimon4ik89]

In order to play well in live poker, you need to study the behavior of opponents who play with you at the same table. In what situations do they usually bet and what range of hands do they enter the game. And also you need to remain calm in any situation, and change the strategy of the game as often as possible so that your opponents cannot read you. Personally, I think that live poker is much easier and more interesting to play than online poker, where you can feel the whole atmosphere of the game and feel real live emotions.

 

[freddsl]

I think the most complicated thing is about the time, the time of the moves, until your hand reaches you, the games are so long, playing online is easier to pass the time.

 

[ElScorcho008]

It can be hard feeling like you never play a hand, since you get dealt less hands per hour. And trying to hide any "tells" you have can be difficult too

 

[TeUnit]

I think its harder for some than others.

Some people have a really hard time not giving off live tells.

Other players have a really hard time picking up on live tells.

 

[hilary antonik filho]

I don't see any difficulty in playing live, when I go to a poker house, I need to know the environment, the people, the style of playing, signs, whether they are recreational or professional, I arrive early and start playing after a while, I look for more watching than talking or participating in a good play, a lot of patience and concentration

 

[Macaroon]

I thought I would be nervous playing live for the first time, after ten years just online. I was in Vegas and played three low-buy-in events at the Hilton and the Sahara. In fact I really enjoyed it, and wasn't nervous at all. In fact I enjoyed it much more than online, because there was much more information available, obviously, and always something or someone to look at or think about when I wasn't in the hand. I really ought to play some local live events, but online is so easily accessible...

 

[VVi10]

I think they are two different sports. When we play live we have several other factors involved which in online poker we don't have. Looking at the opponent at the table, perceiving their reactions and emotions makes a lot of difference at the time of the game, which we cannot do in online poker.

 

[Aces High]

After playing online and going live you will have a sigh of relief, not as many donks, cheaters or weird online poker sites to deal with. Plus you won't experience so many bad beats as you do online.