The debate continues. While both are the same game per se, there are tremendous differences between them in their actual play. There are pros and cons to both formats and only through experimentation can one find out if one is more acclimated to a person's style than the other.

Advantages of online poker

One of the great advantages to online poker is it is always there. If you live in an area where there isn't a casino or poker room, then you always have a game at your fingertips. There have been people who are isolated at home but, through the ability to play online, have been able to keep in touch with the world.

You also don't need a huge amount of money to play the online game. In the online game, you can play for stakes that you would never see in a "brick and mortar" casino or poker room. One of online poker's great pros is that you don't have to be rich to play.

Because of this cost aspect, you can also work on your game without losing a tremendous amount of money. Say you want to work on playing out of position — you just get involved with hands where you are out of position against other players. Or let's say you want to try a different approach to the game — and a "loose-aggressive" pattern rather than a "tight is right" game. This is a relatively inexpensive way to see if the strategy can be used with the game skills that you currently have.

Finally, if you are agoraphobic or you just don't feel like putting on clothes, online poker might be the best thing for you. If you're online, nobody sees that you aren't "dressed up" but sitting there in your PJs. You're sitting at home and can be as relaxed as you want, which can also be a huge assist to your play.

Disadvantages of online poker

Like most things in life, there are downsides to the world of online poker.

First, it is a MUCH faster game than what you will see in a casino or poker room. In a casino or card room, you might get 30 hands an hour in. When you play online, you're going to get at least double that if not triple. This difference in the pace of play is something that some players have a difficult time with (and that can be said both ways, whether going from online to live or vice versa).

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