I have quit online poker and specialized in live play (semi-long)

[Colima420]

This could either go here or in the psychology forum, I think.

After playing about 1 year online, I started to feel bad about certain things. The most important ones were the following:

.- Turning into a hermit that sometimes went 3-4 days without going out of the house (except to get the mail, which doesn't count).
.- Total lack of social interaction (very related to the first one).
.- Feeling sick of playing all the time (sometimes skipping breakfast, etc).

After realizing that I didn't like where this online poker playing experience was taking me, I decided to quit cold turkey and play live.

Now I have a set schedule. I play live cash games Monday-Saturday, and about 3-4 live tournaments a week as well (both in the NL form).

During the mornings, I just relax and do whatever school work is pending, and then in the afternoon (around 6 pm), I drive to the casino and stay there until about 11 pm. I "work" for 5 hours. When the 5 hours are up, I leave. I leave regardless of performance. I could be up $500 or down $500, either way I am out of there after my 5 hours.

So far I have enjoyed this a great deal. Not only has it prevented me from becoming more and more isolated, but I actually enjoy the game much more when it is live.

I like holding real chips and real cards. I like talking to people. I like seeing people play a certain way.

I love all those TELLS. Man, tells are so cool when you're live. Of course everyone will say that there are online tells as well. I agree, especially when it comes to betting tells. But you just can't compare it with the number of tells that you find live.

Well gentlemen, I just wrote this in case someone was thinking of making the transition or has already made it.

Note : In no way, shape, or form am I criticizing online play or online players. I am 100% against any type of online poker ban. I support the right for people to play online poker whenever they want.

I just prefer live poker.

[Hass]

Me Too.

[LasVegasMichael]

Said it before and will say it again:

Live poker always has been, and always will be, vastly superior to online poker. Period.

[MandM_WSU]

When that stupid Washington law banning on-line poker was passed, I was liberated. When I played on-line, I was a recluse; ignoring loved ones and being isolated. Now, instead of playing on-line almost every night, I play live a few times a week. It is much better. My relationship with my spouse has improved. I’ve read more books (poker related and otherwise). Playing live is simply more fun, not to mention more profitable. So, those of you who are bemoaning the illegalization of on-line poker, I say get out of the house and enjoy some ‘real live’ poker. The 3/6 and 4/8 games down the street at the local B&M is just as soft as the .50/$1 game at Party Poker.

[smittymatt]

[ QUOTE ]
When that stupid Washington law banning on-line poker was passed, I was liberated. When I played on-line, I was a recluse; ignoring loved ones and being isolated. Now, instead of playing on-line almost every night, I play live a few times a week. It is much better. My relationship with my spouse has improved. I’ve read more books (poker related and otherwise). Playing live is simply more fun, not to mention more profitable. So, those of you who are bemoaning the illegalization of on-line poker, I say get out of the house and enjoy some ‘real live’ poker. The 3/6 and 4/8 games down the street at the local B&M is just as soft as the .50/$1 game at Party Poker.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree that playing live is much more fun, but it is definately not more profitable. The number of tables and speed of play more than make up for the lack of live tells. Thus, there is less risk in online play as you can play more tables of a lower limit and reduce variance. Your expected 6-8 tabling $5/10 online is about equal to $50/100 live (not to mention $50/100 is no cakewalk).

Although online poker may not be as interesting, it is the only option for many people who don't live near a casino, and it brings many new players into the cardroom who never would have even tried poker if it wasn't for online.

[thirddan]

i play live only, mainly cuz i sit in front of a computer for 60-80 hours a week already and the thought of going from working on my work comp to working on my home comp makes me sad...and im in love with a dealer at my bm casino [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Off Duty]

[ QUOTE ]
The 3/6 and 4/8 games down the street at the local B&M is just as soft as the .50/$1 game at Party Poker.

[/ QUOTE ]

Softer.

[Howard Beale]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The 3/6 and 4/8 games down the street at the local B&M is just as soft as the .50/$1 game at Party Poker.

[/ QUOTE ]

Softer.

[/ QUOTE ]

MUCH softer. The online players who have never played b&m probably wouldn't believe it w/o seeing it.

[Patrick del Poker Grande]

[ QUOTE ]
Said it before and will say it again:

Live poker always has been, and always will be, vastly superior to online poker. Period.

[/ QUOTE ]
...especially in the Venetian.

[Photoc]

[ QUOTE ]
Said it before and will say it again:

Live poker always has been, and always will be, vastly superior to online poker. Period.

[/ QUOTE ]

Have to go with LVM on this one 100%. The only time I play online is when I'm drinking at home, or before I go to work. And after 15-30 minutes, I'm bored to death.