Online vs Live Poker: Which is Easier? 11 Differences

Live poker is a real-time game played with a human dealer at a physical table or through live video stream. You see the dealer and read your opponents’ body language.

Online poker is faster and more private. You play the game on your phone or computer, using digital cards and chips. Software controlls the game and you face avatars instead of human dealers.

As an experienced poker player who has spent years playing both live and online, I've seen how different the two formats can be. In this article, I'll share the 11 most important differences between live and online poker. Or if you want both, you can try live dealer poker online.

1. Live Poker Games Are Quite Slower

Playing live poker means you are limited to only one table, and it comes with advantages and disadvantages. Playing at only one table allows for full concentration on the game, which is ideal for newcomers to poker. If you're used to online poker—where everything moves fast—you might find live poker a bit slow. The dealer takes time to shuffle, deal, and handle chips, and players often take longer to make decisions, which can feel frustrating. While playing online, the software takes care of everything, and each player has a very short time to act, making online poker games pretty fast.

2. Reads Are Virtually Impossible in Online Poker

Poker tells are small signs that give away what a player might be holding. They can be things like eye movement, hand position, or body language. When you play online, it is literally impossible to see your opponents. So, it is impossible to read them through the common poker tells. As a result, such games are ideal for newbies who need more experience in reading opponents or avoiding poker tells.

If you are new to the game, I suggest reading Caro's Book of Poker Tells, a complete guide to poker psychology and body language. It gives you the insight to read your opponents and prevent others from reading you while playing at live poker tables.

3. Bluffing Is The Main Component in Live Poker Games

Bluffing is a skillful move in poker where you bet or raise even when you have a weak hand. The goal is to trick your opponents into thinking you have a strong hand so they fold.

While in live poker, bluffing is a big part of the game and often shows up in how players bet. But in online poker, it doesn’t matter as much since you can’t see your opponents or read their reactions. Read my comprehensive guide to poker bluffing to master the skill in different poker games.

4. Live Poker Requires More Skills

In online poker, you just play on your screen with no distractions. But in live poker, you're dealing with other players, the dealer, the casino setting, and lots of noise and distractions around you. It means you should master personal and professional skills, including but not limited to poker table etiquette, bluffing, reading opponents, emotional control, and focus.

5. Online Poker Is Much Easier For Beginners

The answer to why people say online poker is easier for beginners lies in what I've explained so far. Beginner poker players need more time to master how to play poker confidently in live settings. Online games give them the time and space they need to practice, gain confidence, and master poker strategies before playing live cash games.

Thanks to top online casino software, beginners can enjoy live poker games like live casino Hold'em with real dealers. It feels realistic, but without the pressure or distractions of a busy poker room full of pros. Select 57 more words to run Humanizer.

6. Live Poker Games Have Higher Rake

Rake in poker is virtually the same as house edge in other casino games. In other words, poker rake is the commission fee that the casino or poker room takes to host games. Rake is typically 3-5% of the pot. While there may be higher or lower than this range, the typical amount raked by casinos is at most 10% of the pot.

Many players complain about the high rakes in online poker games. However, live poker games usually have higher rakes, and some have uncapped rakes. This means that the house takes a fixed percentage of every pot, regardless of size. You better avoid such games.

Furthermore, live games do not offer rake backs like those offered by online casinos as part of their welcome bonuses and promotions. That said, finding the best live and online poker room with a reasonable rake is crucial, especially for beginners.

7. Online Poker Allows For Simultaneous Multi-Table Plays

Apart from all the advantages of online poker, simultaneously playing at several tables is a big appeal to most beginner and pro poker players as it promises bigger wins. However, as a beginner, you should be very cautious. Playing multi-hands at multi-poker tables requires extensive focus, discipline, and risk and bankroll management.

8. Bet Sizes Are Much Irrelevant In Live Poker

Live poker players mainly care about the strength of their hands rather than the bet sizing. Typically, if they are pretty confident in their hand, they will call your 3x or 5x, and sometimes even 10x open. So, you can easily perform a trial and error with your preflop raises to realize how much your opponents are willing to pay and then take advantage of their range to control the pot.

On the contrary, online poker players are quite concerned with bet sizing. Usually, if you try opening for 5x in most online cash games, you should expect to get called only by the top of your opponent's range.

9. Safety Is a Concern, Online & Live

Physical casinos and poker rooms are responsible for the safety of players and clients. However, still there may be emotional and troubled players who get out of control and do some dirty tricks. Playing online poker protects you from such incidents.

However, online poker comes with unique safety concerns. Hackers try to rob online poker players by using tricks. Troubled players are also present at online poker games. The best tool to avoid such risks is to use a trusted and safe VPN, such as ExpressVPN, TorGuard, or NordVPN, to hide your IP and identity.

10. Online Poker Games Are Much More Accessible & Convenient

Thanks to the best online game software providers, like Live Vegas, and their partnerships with top online casinos, like irbet365, poker enthusiasts can join a table that suits their budget and skill level anytime, anywhere. All you need is a smartphone, tablet, or PC and active internet access.

11. Live Poker Games Involve More Multi-Way Pots

As mentioned above, live poker games, regardless of whether they are tournaments or cash games, mean you are stuck with your table and opponents! In fact, live players sit at a table and involve themselves in several hands to avoid boredom and folds. On the contrary, online players fold quite often, as they can easily join another table or they are already playing at several tables simultaneously. That said, if you choose to play live poker games, prepare for more multiway pot scenarios.

My Final Verdict

If you ask whether online or live poker is better, the answer really depends on you. It comes down to your favorite game, your skills, how much money you have to play with, how focused you are, and what you enjoy more.

Online poker and live games have unique pros and cons, and you decide which one is better.

My professional advice is to try both and change your settings occasionally. This will help you develop a professional poker character by allowing you to experience a wide selection of poker scenarios.

FAQ

How does the pace of play differ between online and live poker?

Online poker is way faster than live games due to automated shuffling and dealing, allowing players to play multiple tables simultaneously.

What are the typical skill levels of players in online and live poker games?

While a wide range of skill levels, from beginners to professionals, join online poker tables, most live games, especially tournaments, feature more experienced poker players with higher skill levels.

What are the game selection and stakes differences between online and live poker?

Online poker has lower costs, so you’ll find more game types, more tournaments, and plenty of low-stakes tables. However, live poker generally has a more limited game selection and stakes can be higher, especially in high-limit rooms.