Playing Better Live While Getting Crushed Online

TxScorpion · Jan 14, 2014

Okay gang I've got a situation to discuss.
Recently I've been playing online (America's Card Room and before that Bovada) mostly to see if the games are as soft as advertised and to work on my live game when I can't drive to the casino. Anyway, I've been getting my ass handed to me online while playing live, it's the other way around.

I've been reading Dan Harrington's book on online cash games and I'm still not getting the desired results. It's like playing online gets in the way of really learning the game when people are either going all in every hand, doing crazy raises out of position etc. Whereas in a live game, you don't see that.

Is it better to just use the online game as a sortof training ground for the live game or just abandon it altogether?

dealio96 · Jan 14, 2014

The reason you are having this problems is because online players are way more aggressive than live players. You have to adjust and adapt to your background. Try switching it up, next time you're playing online, loosen up a little bit. I play a ton of live as well, but my whole style switches as soon as I hit the mouse.

As for abandoning online play overall.... That would be one of the worst things you could do (in terms of improving your poker game). online poker is the best way to sharpen your skills..IMO

TxScorpion · Jan 14, 2014

dealio96 said:
The reason you are having this problems is because online players are way more aggressive than live players. You have to adjust and adapt to your background. Try switching it up, next time you're playing online, loosen up a little bit. I play a ton of live as well, but my whole style switches as soon as I hit the mouse.

As for abandoning online play overall.... That would be one of the worst things you could do (in terms of improving your poker game). Online poker is the best way to sharpen your skills..IMO

Thanks for the response! Okay what style(s) do you suggest I play? I try to switch my game up as far what hands I play in a particular position, when I raise and how much I raise but you're right the players online are way more aggressive than the live players at the casino. I guess my main problem (besides losing) is guys raising 20x out of position. Is that normal? Or am I just playing too much by the book?

IPlay · Jan 14, 2014

TxScorpion said:
Thanks for the response! Okay what style(s) do you suggest I play? I try to switch my game up as far what hands I play in a particular position, when I raise and how much I raise but you're right the players online are way more aggressive than the live players at the casino. I guess my main problem (besides losing) is guys raising 20x out of position. Is that normal? Or am I just playing too much by the book?

Raising 20 BB's preflop when 100bb deep? What stakes are you playing online? I never see anyone this crazy unless they have pocket A's Still, they would just open shove. I feel like there is exaggeration in this thread.

blakewyte · Jan 14, 2014

I'm just assuming that when you play live, it's a cash game and not a tourney?

The mechanics of live and online are really really different. I know I can't pull the same stunt online the way I do it live (bluff or trapping).

Raising 20x BB or even all-in pre-flop first hand, that I've seen way too many times in tourneys. Even when the buy-ins cost 3 digits. That's just how aggressive (or crazy) some players are online. I don't really see it so much in online cash games though, then again I play microstakes zoom and usually see people just raise 2.5x-3.5x BB.

Like what dealio96 says, switch your style up when you're playing live and online. And I do agree that online provides a steeper learning curve. It definitely taught me how to be a bit more aggressive and have more balls when making certain calls

TxScorpion · Jan 14, 2014

IPlay said:
Raising 20 BB's preflop when 100bb deep? What stakes are you playing online? I never see anyone this crazy unless they have pocket A's Still, they would just open shove. I feel like there is exaggeration in this thread.

I play mainly 0.01/0.02 online and yes they're have been some wild betting patterns in those games. The hands never go to showdown because everyone believes that a raise of that size represents aces. Pocket aces on an online game doesn't happen often but crazy bet sizes happen damn near every hand.

TxScorpion · Jan 14, 2014

blakewyte said:
I'm just assuming that when you play live, it's a cash game and not a tourney?

The mechanics of live and online are really really different. I know I can't pull the same stunt online the way I do it live (bluff or trapping).

Raising 20x BB or even all-in pre-flop first hand, that I've seen way too many times in tourneys. Even when the buy-ins cost 3 digits. That's just how aggressive (or crazy) some players are online. I don't really see it so much in online cash games though, then again I play microstakes zoom and usually see people just raise 2.5x-3.5x BB.

Like what dealio96 says, switch your style up when you're playing live and online. And I do agree that online provides a steeper learning curve. It definitely taught me how to be a bit more aggressive and have more balls when making certain calls

Online play has definitely allowed me to "let my nuts hang" more in regards to being more aggressive which in turn allows me to play more aggressively at the casino.

rifflemao · Jan 14, 2014

TxScorpion said:
Is it better to just use the online game as a sortof training ground for the live game or just abandon it altogether?

I specifically joined up on Bovada to use it as a training ground. I don't have a ton of live or online experience, and I'm 85 miles or so from the nearest casino (Horseshoe, Bossier City), so I don't have a choice.

I would keep at it, and study your histories with a free replayer like onlinepokermanager.com. And be nitty about brm even at the micros.

TxScorpion · Jan 14, 2014

rifflemao said:
I specifically joined up on Bovada to use it as a training ground. I don't have a ton of live or online experience, and I'm 85 miles or so from the nearest casino (Horseshoe, Bossier City), so I don't have a choice.

I would keep at it, and study your histories with a free replayer like onlinepokermanager.com. And be nitty about brm even at the micros.

Oh I understand your pain rifflemao....hell the pain of driving to Oklahoma is no fun either when my other choice is to drive to some private game and risk getting arrested or worse. Reading hand history is like reading Greek right now! LOL! All I know is I played a premium hand in position, raised pre-flop, bet accordingly on the flop and turn only to lose on the river! LOL! Other than that, that's the bulk of my hand history expertise.

GAYLIEPOO · Jan 14, 2014

Also about live play - you are able to read players by watching their faces, mannerisms - seeing how they respond to bets - online - it's a bold way of playing. Especially if all you can lose is 2.20 - you take chances - bets are higher, not much chat. Stay with it though - it's a great way to meet new people and make online friends - it's also a GREAT learning experience to have a well rounded game. GOOD LUCK!!!!

packernation85 · Jan 14, 2014

A lot of live games involve bad inexperienced players, while online has so many experienced players that will feast on you if you do not play aggressive enough

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