If you think that internet poker and the real world are the same, then you are sadly mistaken, the biggest difference is that internet poker is a much faster game than in real life. Sites have a clock on the amount of time you have to think, in most cases this will be around fifteens seconds. If you are new to online poker that must seem a scary thought. I’ve played in games of poker were players have thought about there cards for what seams like hours. This is because there is an old saying in poker “Don’t play the cards, play the man.” So you need time to size up you opponent, has he got the cards or is he bluffing? In online Poker you can’t see the man and although it is still possible to get a feel of him. It is not the massive factor that it is in the real world. The speed of the game play means that you could lose far more far quicker than you’re used to. Once you get to grips with the speed of the game play and feel more comfortable in your new surrounding, the temptation, will be to play in high stake games.
There are many other important differences between to two forms. If you are sat in a real world card room, it safe to say that you have sorted your affairs so that you can see the tournament out with out any distractions. I heard people say the same bout their home, I mean you sit yourself down at the computer start a tournament, knowing you’ve got two hours before the kids get back. What if you’re think I’m going out at nine it’s only six I’ll play some poker to kill the time. Your game runs longer and you get down to the last table, things are getting interesting but its time to go out. Do you sacrifice that big night out for that chance to win a few extra places, just because you’ve been playing for hours, or do you leave the table and take what you’ve already won? There will be times when you are free to sit down and play till the death. However even then have you disconnected you door bell? Unplugged the phone? Even if there are truly no interruptions what if your computer crashes just as you’re about to go all in with the nuts. However you look at it there are too many variables to start playing big on the internet. The key is to minimise your potential loses. Poker on the internet can be a fun and profitable experience, however if you are looking to make a full time profession out of playing on the internet then like those true winners in the casinos, they are few and far between. You best bet is to play small wager games, to enjoy it and to keep you bank roll growing slowly and healthfully. There is no quick win, it will take a lot of hard work and patience.