Casino vs online

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AcesFullOfDonks

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Hey all.
I generally play NLHE cash games at micro stakes online. I occasionally play SNGs and MTTs. SNGs I usually do quite well in (6max) and cash maybe 50%-60% of the time. MTTs I don't fare as well in but I tend to avoid them anyway.
However, I've decided to venture down to my local casino for the first time this upcoming weekend to play an MTT. Buyin is £20 (yes, I'm British) so it's more ideal than a cash game in terms of overall cost.
My question is, what can I expect in terms of quality of opponents? From what I've heard, online players are generally better than those who play only live. How true is this or how exaggerated is this?
Also, any tips on etiquette/procedure are appreciated! GL on the tables!
 
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Blue_Fossil

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20 pounds is about 30 USD, right? If that's close, the quality of play won't be good at all in the live tournament. That's a pretty small buy-in and will attract mostly recreational players. It will more closely resemble a free roll than a live tournament you see on television.

If you've heard that online players are generally better than those that play only live, you probably heard that from online players. I think the format (live vs. online) has very little to do with the quality of the player. The one difference that may be valid is that online players can see more hands over time than a live player. But if you're only playing micro stakes online, bigger stakes at a live tournament will be a different animal and you may be at a disadvantage.

Anyway, with the tournament you're planning to play, don't worry too much. Just play and have a good time. As far as etiquette - if in doubt, ask the dealer. If you don't play live often, it's also a good idea to clearly state your intention (check, raise, all-in, fold, etc.). Don't make the dealer or other player guess what you're doing. Also - take your time when betting. Online it's very easy to figure out what 1/3, 1/2, or 3/4 of the pot is. Live, the pot size is harder to keep track of.
 
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cursed989

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Yeah, with smaller live buy-ins like that, you will definitely see some horrible play (but of course you can still count on a baby shark or two). For instance, the casino near me offers buy-ins ranging from $15 to $500 or so. The $15 ones generally see intensely aggressive action with little to back it up, but as you go up in stakes, that tightens a bit.

So in short, what fossil said.

My biggest tip when it comes to etiquette is simply to pay attention. Players and dealers alike can quickly become annoyed with the guy they constantly have to remind to post their ante late, or that is listening to music and not at all to the gameplay, etc.
 
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RicardoInciarte

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So small the buy in so is typical those players betting and raising with nothing.. In my opinion i like too much live than online couse see the faces can be more easy to find out bluffs
 
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AcesFullOfDonks

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Blue_Fossil said:
20 pounds is about 30 USD, right? If that's close, the quality of play won't be good at all in the live tournament. That's a pretty small buy-in and will attract mostly recreational players. It will more closely resemble a free roll than a live tournament you see on television.

If you've heard that online players are generally better than those that play only live, you probably heard that from online players. I think the format (live vs. online) has very little to do with the quality of the player. The one difference that may be valid is that online players can see more hands over time than a live player. But if you're only playing micro stakes online, bigger stakes at a live tournament will be a different animal and you may be at a disadvantage.

Anyway, with the tournament you're planning to play, don't worry too much. Just play and have a good time. As far as etiquette - if in doubt, ask the dealer. If you don't play live often, it's also a good idea to clearly state your intention (check, raise, all-in, fold, etc.). Don't make the dealer or other player guess what you're doing. Also - take your time when betting. Online it's very easy to figure out what 1/3, 1/2, or 3/4 of the pot is. Live, the pot size is harder to keep track of.
Click to expand...

Thanks! If the quality of play isn't fantastic I'm gonna tighten up and play premium hands and ABC poker. It's probably my best shot. Especially if the table is full of calling stations, I'll just have to keep it straightforward. Thanks for your reply.
 
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AcesFullOfDonks

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RicardoInciarte said:
So small the buy in so is typical those players betting and raising with nothing.. In my opinion i like too much live than online couse see the faces can be more easy to find out bluffs
Click to expand...

Do you think players are bluffing more in live play? Or do you just pick up on it much easier?
 
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Hey Aces, in my city, one casino has the buy-in like $50 Reais (Brazilian money) today this is equivalent to 12-14 dolars.
Well in this buy-in you see a lot of loosers players, that call everything, play drinking and another thinks that is not a action of pro player.

Don't play weak hands in this buy-in in the beggin, and be careful, they always pay your bets.
 
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AcesFullOfDonks

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MasterTur said:
Hey Aces, in my city, one casino has the buy-in like $50 Reais (Brazilian money) today this is equivalent to 12-14 dolars.
Well in this buy-in you see a lot of loosers players, that call everything, play drinking and another thinks that is not a action of pro player.

Don't play weak hands in this buy-in in the beggin, and be careful, they always pay your bets.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply! I'm a TAG anyway so I'll be playing only premium hands, even in position. Unless I suspect it's a weak table with passive players but I can't see that happening. Thanks again!
 
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Jalapano

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I much prefer to play live. I mostly agree its easier to find really good players at any stake online but dont be fooled. A lot of the quality of play really depends on the type of establishment your in. If your at a big name casino then your bound to run into knowledgeable players. If you are just playing in your local bars game or the small poker hall down the street then players tend to play very loose.
 
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AcesFullOfDonks

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Jalapano said:
I much prefer to play live. I mostly agree its easier to find really good players at any stake online but dont be fooled. A lot of the quality of play really depends on the type of establishment your in. If your at a big name casino then your bound to run into knowledgeable players. If you are just playing in your local bars game or the small poker hall down the street then players tend to play very loose.
Click to expand...

It will be at a well established chain casino so I assume there may be a few regs in there. In one respect I'm expecting a few decent players but mainly loose, aggressive...idiots.
 
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Blue_Fossil

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AcesFullOfDonks said:
Do you think players are bluffing more in live play? Or do you just pick up on it much easier?
Click to expand...

I think you'll find less bluffing in a live game than you will online. In any case, don't worry about trying to pick up subtle physical tell at the table - you won't be any good at it and it will distract you from more important things. Instead, keep track of betting patterns and try to put players on a range of hands. Even then, in this type of tournament, you still will only have a limited number of hands with individual players, so you're simply not going to get very solid reads on many players.

As you suggest, you'll see a lot of calling stations and people chasing hands in this low-stakes tournament. Adjust your play accordingly.
 
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Ben Byrne

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Good luck! I find at my local casino, the low stakes cash game is so loose it's straight forward to profit by simply playing crazy tight! (It can get boring though)
 
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AcesFullOfDonks

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Ben Byrne said:
Good luck! I find at my local casino, the low stakes cash game is so loose it's straight forward to profit by simply playing crazy tight! (It can get boring though)
Click to expand...

How tight are you talking? AA-TT and AK-AJ?
 
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