Your complete guide to transitioning from live to online poker. Practical tips, step-by-step instructions, and expert advice for online poker players.
Moving from Live Poker to Online
Live poker players transitioning to online face a steeper learning curve than expected. The pace, technology, and competition level are all different.
Speed Adjustment
Online deals 60-80 hands per hour per table versus 25-35 live. Multi-tabling multiplies this further. The faster pace requires quicker decisions and less time for physical reads.
Technology Setup
Install poker room software, set up a HUD, configure your workspace. These tools are essential online but do not exist in live poker. Invest time learning the software before playing serious stakes.
Competition Differences
Online players tend to be more technically sound, especially at equivalent stakes. A $1/$2 live game plays much softer than NL200 online. Start at lower stakes than you play live.
Rakeback Advantage
Live poker has no rakeback. Online rakeback gives you a guaranteed income stream that does not exist at brick-and-mortar cardrooms. This alone can justify the transition for volume players.
Starting Stakes
Most live $1/$2 players should start at NL25-NL50 online. The competition at these stakes is roughly equivalent. Build confidence and adjust to the pace before moving higher.