To many people, online poker is simply what it sounds like: playing poker on the Internet. In reality, online poker is a different animal entirely— with different mannerisms, behaviors and appetites— and requires a brand new approach than you would apply to live poker if you want to tame it. Sure, many of the strategies and certainly many of the rules are the same. But then again, many are not. When deciding which form of poker is best for you, or at least which style is more suited to the way you approach poker, there are a number of important factors to consider.

The main difference between online poker and live poker is that one of them is played online. No, I’m not trying to have fun with you. It really is the crux of the issue, the element that truly makes them different games. When you face your opponents across the virtual table you are likely sitting at home, alone, where you have complete control over your environment (unless your property manager has the leaf blowers going…again…) and you don’t have to worry if your tell for having a strong hand is to shout “EAT THIS” and make questionable gestures at the computer screen. Going beyond the obvious, though, lets take a look at some of the deeper, more important differences between live and online play.

The ability to concentrate

Being in control of your environment is a big win for online poker. Having a bad hair day? Haven’t done the wash yet? No worries, play as you like. Adjust the temperature, the music level, stand up, walk around, get a beverage—it is all under your control. These little psychological factors add up when you are sitting under the florescent lights of a casino for hours on end, your backside is cramping and your subconscious is teasing you with images of your couch at home.

Telling tales

For those used to live play, the aspect of not being able to read your opponent based on physical tells is a big loss for online play. If you are not a player who depends heavily on reading other players, then you won’t miss it much. If you are more of a psychological player, however, you are going to have to adjust your style to compensate when playing on the Internet. There are tells online, however, that can be used to your advantage. They deal mostly with style of play and how an opponent bets. For example, if the short stack at your table has gone all in pre-flop eight consecutive times, that is likely telling you he is playing a lot of junk hands to steal the blinds and take control of the table; wait for an excellent starting hand and call or check to him, and let the fun begin. The only thing you will miss from a live game is seeing the look of chagrin on his face when you catch him in the act.

Player experience

If you sit down at a table with poker pro Marcel Luske, better known as the Flying Dutchman, you know you are up against a world-class player. However, if a player with the screen name fLyingD2331 takes a seat at your Sit N Go, you have no idea who you are facing. He could be great, or he could be dead money. There is no guarantee either way if you don’t know of the player, but typically online players are harder to peg until you actually play them and can see them in action. With the broad variety and sheer number of online players it stands to reason you will encounter players with vastly different levels of experience. Just as in live games, sticking to game limits you are comfortable with is the best way to go.

Choice

Frankly, there is no beating Internet poker for choice. Pick any online poker room and there are likely more players at that site in an hour than many casino see in a day. Pick one of the larger rooms and your head will be spinning with choices of tournaments and cash games, as well as which poker games you want to play, such as Omaha or Texas Hold’em.

Atmosphere

Live poker may have the edge here. Sites that are really graphics heavy and push the fun element of poker can be great, but for overall excitement and energy it can be hard to beat a live game, be it casino or home game. The ability to not only read players but handle and listen to chips, to feel the felt, to razz your buddies when you suck out on them, and the social energy that comes from just being with like minded people doing what you love all comes into play in live games. If poker is your social outlet, online poker may leave you cold if you play it too long.

Applying your style

What kind of poker player are you? Are you a mathematician, crunching the numbers on pot odds and using a formulaic system to decide whether to call, raise, or fold? Are you a people-reader, who can tell by the way the sweaty guy in the sports jersey is trying to control his jimmy-legs that he’s holding Bullets? Depending on how you play the game, you will have to determine for yourself whether your ideal environment is live or online. That is not to say that an online poker player can’t win big in a live event, (Chris Moneymaker, anyone?) or vice versa. In fact, more and more professional poker players are cashing in online while they take “time off” from the tournament season. That doesn’t mean you have to, however. If you find you really prefer the ability to modulate your atmosphere, enjoy the lack of close scrutiny, and want to be able to jump into a game anytime you like, online poker always there for you.

Remember, just because you favor one style over the other, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy both. You could always use one for the occasional jaunt to try something new, the other for a regular grind. Playing both could actually cross-pollinate your skills, making you a better player. The important part is remembering the differences between them.