There are a few things to consider when making the switch from online poker to live games. These include the slower pace, the lack of a variety of hands, and the need for a different type of focus at the table. Having a solid understanding of the differences between the two can help you make the transition smoothly.
The first big difference is that you will experience far fewer hands an hour than when playing online. This can be a challenge for some players who are used to juggling multiple tables and seeing a large amount of action. Additionally, if you play live poker with a lot of bad players and/or clumsy dealers the game can slow down to a point where it is not fun at all.
In addition to this, a solid live game requires a lot of attention and effort to pick up on tells at the table. The good news is that there are a number of GTO tells at the live tables, but they can be hard to spot because newer players tend to use them as a crutch instead of learning basic poker math and building a strong strategy.
Another issue that many people struggle with is boredom at the table. With so few hands per hour and card dead streaks that can last hours it is important for a player to be able to fight off boredom by keeping focused and trying to keep the table as interesting as possible. Using tools like PokerTracker that track your results and stats can be a great way to help combat this problem.
One of the biggest issues that most people encounter when switching from online to live is the lack of a high-quality poker room. It is difficult to find a place where you will feel at home while playing the game you love, and this can lead to frustration, loss of confidence, and even a break down in your poker career.
There are a few ways to overcome these issues and get comfortable playing live poker. You can practice with friends or even hire a coach to help you learn the game quickly and give you tips that will be useful on your journey to becoming a top-level live player. If you are able to get comfortable with the game and can pick up on tells at the table, you will be well on your way to a smooth transition from online poker to live. Good luck! -Edward McElroy is the owner of WPT Global. He has been playing poker for over 20 years. He has a passion for the game and enjoys sharing his knowledge of poker with others. He believes that poker is a lifelong pursuit, and enjoys helping people achieve their goals in the game. His goal is to provide a positive experience for everyone who enters the poker community through his articles and videos. He has written for several major poker publications and hopes to inspire people from all walks of life to pursue their dreams in the game of poker.