There are many people who play online poker and they are good at it. They brag to their friends about how much money they've made, how many games they've played in one session, and what edged pros they are.
Now, transplanting the same people into a live card game woori group changes the mindset tremendously. Because live games are a whole different beast.
But don't panic. Conversely, for alpha personalities, there is a lot of financial loss if they try to be an intimidator if they are not used to playing live. Here are some tips to avoid losing your paycheck or your dignity when playing poker in a real card room.
Research
The first thing you should do is research your local club. Where the club is located, what its hours are, what games it offers, how many tables it has, what its limits and stakes are, and what kind of rake they charge the house. This information will let you know what kind of financial commitments you will make and what kind of waiting time you will have for the games you want to play. If you go to a card room with only four tables, your choices are really limited and you may have to wait a long time to get a table.
Watch
You've chosen your card room and you're good to go! Not really, but if you've ever played online poker you at least know the basics of poker. Some may be more advanced, having read some of the many books on how to win at poker, the importance of position, the statistical aspects of the hands to play, and how to play. However, there is no substitute for observation when it comes to fully understanding the situation you are facing.
Stand on the rails before sitting down to watch the game. It's been said many times, but it's true. You need to read players the same way you read your hand. Watch the game on the level you want to play. (I know it's tempting to see big players playing at high limits, but the strategies used at high stakes are probably not the same as those used at 2-4 limit tables. At tables with higher stakes much more protection / It's tight) Who has a big stack? What's her style? Are they very aggressive or do they let themselves be hung? Do they look down on others or wear hooded sunglasses and iPods? Are the ear plugs provided? Even the losers should watch. Do you tilt (make the wrong decision because you lose) or keep your composure? Knowing this will inform your game about those around you who don't care.
Play wisely
Now that you know the terrain, you can try it. Never play with more money than you are willing to pay (this should go without saying) and make sure you are willing to give up enough money to cover the wide swings in relation to the table limits you choose. There are many books and websites that can guide you through this topic, so we won't cover it here.
As an extension of the observation section above, we're actually waiting a few hands before posting so we can see who's at the table. You'll find that the flow of the table is very different when you're dealing with a real person as opposed to a blinking little avatar.
First off, you can't stop the person sitting next to you from chatting. And it's not always pleasant. Unless you're spreading pornography or physically threatening people at your table, you should listen (or block them). Second, the game progresses faster than you think. We're not waiting for the disconnected person to call, bet or fold for the millionth time. If you are constantly taking a long time to make your game, you will be asked to hurry up. When you're used to having your playbook by your side online during gameplay, this becomes more difficult. We're sorry. You cannot sit at a table with your guide. You'll be laughing from inside the building. Finally, use these observation skills. You have other weapons in live play to use along with what you learn in online play and it comes down to knowing who you are playing with. Aggressive player tactics against him, etc.
To learn
Retain the valuable lessons learned on your first foray into merit the realm of live poker. Win or lose, there is no substitute for the experience you gain with every hand played (or not played). And the more live games you play, the easier it becomes to make decisions for each hand played. Knowledge of the game and practice are key to successfully navigating the difficult and sometimes intimidating world of live poker. You'll soon decide if you want to fully absorb the atmosphere of the card room and make it a part of your poker experience.
