If you’re a passionate poker player thinking about trying out online poker, there is a lot of things you need to know about before diving in the world of online casinos and setting up an account. Playing online poker can be a completely different experience compared to playing live, and you need to be prepared for different conditions. For example, if you rely greatly on the body language of your opponents in predicting their next move, you might feel confused or lost when depraved of this aspect of the game. Still, there are some things that make online poker better compared to the traditional version of the game. We’ve got some of the major online poker characteristics in a nutshell to help you decide whether online playing is for you or not.
Some players love visiting real steal and concrete casinos because they enjoy the experience. You probably know the feeling – that certain something, a sense of excitement and thrill in the air, light smell of smoke, people chatting, the crowd at the bar…This is something a game of online poker will never give you, no matter how nice the software is in recreating an illusion of an actual game. Now, whether that is a good or a bad thing depends on what kind of person you are. If you’re a social butterfly who doesn’t mind a bit of mingling and meeting people while playing a game or two, you might feel lonely or bored playing online. On the other hand, if you’re not the kind of person that likes crowds or having to share a table with complete strangers, you will love online casinos. We all know how irritating people can get sometimes, and it only takes one douche bag that is too loud or annoying to completely ruing the thrill of the game. That’s what makes online poker a great alternative.
The biggest difference between online poker and real poker is definitely in no being able to see your opponents. Many players rely on subtle hints in other players’ behavior that can tell what they’re thinking no matter how hard they try to hide it. Even expert players that spend hours practicing their poker face and use sunglasses and other ways in masking their reaction often give out accidental signs that help their opponents. By playing online poker, you’re deprived of this part of the game, which can be a bit confusing in the beginning. There are still some hints on your opponents’ behavior even though you’re playing online. For example, how long it takes them to respond and make a move. A bad hand will normally make them think longer and wait for a little bit before playing, but it could also be a trick. Some players will stall on purpose to get you the wrong idea, and sometimes it’s just the fact that they’re having internet connection trouble or playing several games simultaneously. Either way, it takes some practice to learn how to read other peoples’ behavior online.