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.

[Howard Beale]

I gave up playing online about a year ago for some of the reasons that you listed but mostly because I do much better live than online. For me they are almost completely different games. I know how the regulars at my casino play and I get to know a stranger in a half-hour or so. The difference in my bottom line is huge.

I understand why you mentioned that maybe this belonged in the psych. forum. When I was only playing online I realized that I was becoming some weird, recluse, hermit type. And I couldn't sleep knowing that I could be playing instead. That is compulsive behavior, sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if alot of online players suffer from the same symptoms.

[bema03]

I've also found that I don't go on tilt as easily while playing live because I don't want to embarass myself in public. When online, I'd scream and cuss and punch something, and end up playing worse because of it. I'm a lot more calm when playing live, and as a result end up enjoying the game more.

[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]

[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.

[KurtSF]

I want to make the transistion.

I started playing online seriously about 6 months ago and learned to beat the limit micros. I told myself when I hit a certain goal I would reasses my goals and do one of several things:

* become a tourney player and specialize in MTTs
* Learn NL and work my up from the micros in that game
* keep perfecting my limit game, build a BR, and keep moving up in levels
* learn to play live

Well, live play sounded like the most fun so I figured to go that way. Its not going so well. In my first few forays into B&M play I'm down over 50BBs. I can't find a home game in a major urban area. And because of the ease of online play I find myself playing there most often anyway. Maybe I'll institute a "poker night" or something and try to get out once a week.

Any pointers on moving into live play?