More people than ever seem to be asking this basic question. Is online poker the same thing as playing in the casino for real money? The actual rules used are the same, but it plays so much quicker, with a different player pool, different tools available and a different structure for stakes and rake. This article highlights all of these differences and the best strategies for playing both live and online. You’ll understand how you get your advantage in each game and how to adjust. On top of this there are sections on the bankroll requirements, rake rates, online tools and the best places to enjoy a safe game. My goal with this overview is to help you avoid the jargon and understand as quickly as possible – without spending any money.
Online is quick. You see a lot more hands in an hour. You can play several tables. This lets you get experience faster. You also gain an advantage in skills sooner, since you get more actions a day. Word. Live is not quick. You sit. You talk. You look at monitors. If you have tilt or attention issues, this can be a problem. You also have to factor in that the outcome of a hand will impact your session more with fewer hands played. Just something to bear in mind. Take the downtime to observe and learn behaviors.
Body language exists in live poker. Some will shake, chat, stare at chips, or sit motionless. These are all “physical tells”. Players have many useless tells. Some are reliable indicators. Online poker has no faces. You read timing, bet sizes, and lower body language (lines). You can gain information from an instant check or quick call. Consistent patterns are significant. You can also use statistical data on history with each player. Many players use a “HUD”. (Heads-Up Display) (If room rules permit) Make sure you know the legal tools for every room. See the PokerStars “Third Party Tools” policy as an example: PokerStars policy.
On the other hand, there are a lot of tough online grinders out there. They are hardcore. They use solvers. They grind. Their edge over you may be relatively small. But the sheer volume of their play gets them a lot of total dollars in the end. In contrast, live poker rooms tend to have more recreational players. Players that are there to socialize, have fun, and just pass the time. They call too broadhanded and play too many hands. If you are a strong poker player, then you may be able to win a healthy ROI in these environments. (Although there are also healthy private live games and live rooms with tough regulars. So table selection can be important here as well.)
So many tables and formats online: No-limit hold’em, pot-limit Omaha, multiple blind levels, huge field MTTs, progressive knockouts, turbos, fast-fold tables … Most online sites run all of those non-stop, 24 hours a day. A lot of live cardrooms run one or two formats at a time, and the stakes may not go higher than $2/$5, or $3/$6, or $8/$16. Higher-stakes and mixed-game options are limited. Some may be private or off-list, and out of reach for a lot of players. Always check on your local options.
The rake is the “juice” the room takes. In a live game, rakes will be a % of the pot, sometimes capped at a certain amount of big blinds. These rakes can be quite steep, especially at the micros and low-stakes levels. That’s going to eat into your win rate. Rakes can be lower at online tables; as of August 2016, rake amounts are usually capped at certain levels for various stakes. Some online sites have special promotions tied into hand play and rake rates as well as rake back programs. Check the online site’s rake schedule and fine print is question. Think in terms of cashing, personal rates, player points and/or bonus play. If you can’t “beat the rake” at a particular table or on your favorite hand it’s time to move on.
Playing online, you have to worry about multiple players colluding as well as real-time assistance programs (RTA). Fortunately, most reputable sites are combatting the problem with advanced technology and removing cheaters. Here are some examples:
Example: a regular opens too wide in late position. Over 50k hands your data shows they fold too much to 3-bets. You 3-bet more from blinds and print value. This small change works many times each day and becomes a big edge.
For example: a reg is opening light on the button. He folds to 3-bets a ton and you've noticed that in your sample of 50,000 hands. This is a leak for him and you can start to pick up on it, 3-betting him lots and making money. This little thing will happen many times a day and so you're starting to accumulate edges.
Example: a player who never chatters starts talking fast on the river. They want a call. You fold your medium hand and save a buy-in. Over time, these small folds add up.
Live: value, value, value. If they call light, bet big with strong hands. Bluff less on rivers versus calling stations. Choose simple lines. Many live players miss thin value. Do not be one of them.
Live $1/$2 and $2/$5 are often loose and passive. People limp a lot and call raises too wide. You should raise bigger for value. Iso-raise limpers with hands that play well heads-up (AJs+, KQs, 99+). 3-bet less as a bluff, more for value. Online pools defend more and 4-bet more. Use tighter opens in early seats. Use more 3-bet bluffs with blockers (A5s, KQs) when you face regs who fold too much.
Live: be ready for long card dead runs. Bring water, snacks, and a plan. Take notes. Do not force action. One spew hand can erase hours.
Online: many tables can hide tilt. Do stop-loss and stop-win rules. Review key hands right after play, then rest. Protect sleep and posture.
Online: multi-tabling can mask frustration and tilt. Set time/stop limits as well as wins/losses stops. Step away after key hands and take notes. Don't let adrenaline disrupt sleep or back health.
Live: write short notes on breaks. Note seats, stack sizes, and clear tells. After the session, type the hand with board, bet sizes, and timing. You can study the spot later with a sim and convert the result into an easy rule you can use at the table.
Variance is the up and down swing of results. It comes from luck and math. You cannot avoid it, but you can plan for it.
Live win rates can be higher for solid players at small and mid stakes because fields are softer. But remember extra costs: travel, tips, food, and time. Online costs can include software, tracking tools, and rakeback plans. To see how swings can look, try a variance model like the Primedope variance calculator.
Every site has rules on what tools are allowed. Many allow hand tracking and HUDs. All ban bots and real-time assistance (RTA). Always read the rules. Some example pages:
Live rooms also have rules. Phones at the table may be limited. Ask the floor. Be polite. Do not angle shoot. Protect your cards at all times.
Pick safe rooms first. Only then look at games and promos. Use this quick list:
Want a simple way to compare rooms on license, rake, traffic, and payouts? Independent review hubs like Gambling Sites collect verified info and user feedback, so you can build a safe short list fast. Check out room reviews, pros and cons, and current offers there before you deposit.
Don’t want to mess around researching about whether a poker site is reputable? Advisory sites such as Gambling Sites provide unbiased and up to date information including votes from existing customers. It’s a quick way to draw up a shortlist of legitimate sites. Their list of room reviews and comparisons provides in-depth analysis, latest online casino bonuses and lists all rooms and the heads of operators behind them. Take a look before making that first deposit. Any mentions of such sites or rooms above may be affiliate links. If you follow them the site mentioned might receive an affiliate fee at no cost to you, which helps make guides like these available free of charge. We only feature rooms that promote high regard for client security offering favourable and responsible terms.
Yes and no. Online games are quite a bit harder, but you’re able to get a lot more hands in and do some table selection. In live, the games generally are easier, but they are quite a bit slower? From what I hear, there are quite a few people who make more money playing live at the small and medium stakes level than they do online. There are also plenty of grinders who make a solid monthly profit online who can’t get the same returns at live games, due to a lack of volume and decreased skill.
Online cash: 30–50 buy-ins is standard. Live cash: 20–40 buy-ins is usually fine. You should probably have at least one year of living expenses set aside also. Online tourneys: 200–400 buy-ins is standard. You’ll want to have a deep bankroll for tourneys because the variance is so high. Live tourneys: 100–200 buy-ins is probably fine. All these guidelines need to take into account a bunch of other things, such as your skill advantage over the games, rake, monthly nut, etc.
Some tells are just background noise; some tells are decisive. Pay attention to theme all throughout the game, not just an isolated incidence of it. Polarizing tells should be used most efficiently in large pots, and usually on the river. Don’t go looking for elaborate physical reads. Stick to repeatable, simple tells based on bet sizing, talking, or handling change.
This can only be a general rule of thumb. Players will often tell you $1/$2 live is comparable to 10nl–25nl. $2/$5 live can play similar to 50nl–100nl. This will vary according to your cardroom and time of week. Sit down and figure it out. Don’t make the leap too soon.
Yes, but you have to adjust. Online will teach you ranges, math, and population tendencies. In person will teach you live tells, speech play, and ability to sit for long hours. Maybe go down one limit when transitioning. Don not apply to your bb/100 too much stock until you have three or four weeks under your belt.
It is permitted on some sites. It is banned on others. This policy may fluctuate between the sites. You should refer to the latest communication about this on the site you want to play. Above you can also see the information regarding this for PokerStars, GGPoker and partypoker.
Yes for preflop and c-bet reps. No for people reads and deep stack spots. Fast-fold builds hand volume and discipline. For live prep, also play normal tables and focus on turn and river decisions. Learn more about fast-fold here:
About the editors: Our team studies both online and live poker. We use public policy pages, well-known training resources, and community data to build clear, safe advice. We test lines in study tools and convert them into simple rules you can use at the table.
About the editor: We analyse live and online poker. We look at official policy pages, popular training sites, and community data to deliver free, consistent strategy. We solve scenarios in simulators and shape them into heuristics you can follow at the tables.
Disclosures: We verify operator software policies, gaming licences, and fair-play policies. We verify traffic and rake figures using official sources and player feedback. We steer clear of conjecture and update reviews when policy data is unavailable.
Poker is a game of skill and chance. Play only if it is legal where you live and if you are of legal age. Set time and deposit limits. Do not chase losses. If you need help, visit GamCare, NCPG, or BeGambleAware. This article is for education, not financial advice.
Poker should be played as a fun game, but it is also a game that involves risk. Only play poker if online poker is legal in your jurisdiction and you are of a legal age to play. Always set a time and deposits limit. Never play when you can not afford to lose. If you are seeking help, please visit GamCare, NCPG, or BeGambleAware. The contents of this guide are meant for educational purposes only, and are considered not as financial advice. Last modified: 2025-12-02 14:27:38