How Are The Dynamics of Online Poker Different From "Real Life" Poker?

United States
June 1, 2009 12:29am CST
I have been a poker player for about a year, but I've only played in "real life," meaning in person with my friends or at casinos in poker rooms, etc. Recently I've been thinking about trying some online poker, but before I start I would like to hear from people who have done both "real life" and online poker playing and see how it differs so I k now what to expect. I would imagine that online you cannot read people and their emotions like you can in real life, so how does the game change with regard to bluffing? I would imagine it's harder to detect someone's tell online than in real life, in fact, it seems like it would be almost impossible online. Secondly, are there bots or anything working against you in online poker? I know that some places give away you a bonus when you sign up (such as this poker room: http://www.ultimatebetreferralcode.net/ ), yet is that because they know they're going to be taking your money from you anyway? Shouldn't it be just the other players taking your money? How does the house make any money in online poker? Through ads? And anything else you think I should maybe know before I start. Thanks!
1 response
ethereal1
@ethereal1 (215)
• Australia
1 Jun 09
A lot of online poker rooms and casinos give you some kind of bonus on your deposits. This doesn't mean that they are going to take all your money! It's really just an incentive to deposit with them. The internet is a pretty competitive place as far as your gambling dollars go, I reckon there's at least 150 places you could choose to play poker for cash, so each one has to try and offer you something better than the others to compete for your cash. If you do use deposit bonuses, be sure to read the terms and conditions, all of them with have a 'playthrough' requirement e.g. that you have to turn your money over 20 times before you can withdraw, some have maximum withdrawals and there can be others depending on the site you choose. I'm afraid I don't have any experience with poker, though, I play online slots, which is how I know about the bonuses. I wish you good luck if you do decide to play poker online :)