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Differences between Live and Online Poker

Ireland offers a wide range of options for poker enthusiasts to indulge in their favorite hobby. With over 70 casinos scattered throughout the country, players have ample opportunities to test their skills. Additionally, renowned international poker series such as the WSOP, EPT, and WPT occasionally make stops at Irish casinos, adding to the excitement. Our platform provides a comprehensive overview of all offline poker tournaments taking place in Ireland, ensuring that you stay informed about upcoming events.

You will find the greatest variety when it comes to online poker. Dozens of real money poker rooms are waiting for you on the internet, mostly from the European Union. Many players in Ireland are faced with the question: live poker or online poker, which option is better? Here, you will learn more about the advantages of both online and offline poker.

Benefits of Online Poker.

Online and live poker both have advantages and disadvantages. However, when it comes to online poker, you can enjoy numerous benefits compared to playing live. This is why online gambling is becoming increasingly popular, causing traditional brick-and-mortar casinos to lose more and more customers to their online counterparts.

Mobile game

One of the greatest advantages is undoubtedly the fact that you only need a PC with an internet connection or a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet for online poker. Furthermore, you can play from the comfort of your own home at the online tables. You can save yourself the hassle of traveling to a state casino, choosing the right outfit, and adhering to the casino's opening hours. Thanks to the proliferation of mobile apps, you can now even play poker online anytime, anywhere, using devices like the iPhone, iPad, or Android phones.

Bonuses

If you register for the first time on an online poker site, you can take advantage of the generous deposit bonus offered by the providers. As a new customer at any reputable online poker provider, you will receive a bonus on your initial deposit. Typically, the first deposit is doubled up to a certain limit. For instance, if you deposit 50 euros, the provider will gift you an additional 50 euros. However, you must first play through this amount in order to receive the entire real money bonus after a certain number of hands played. In total, you would have 100 euros in poker budget available, even though you only deposited 50 euros.

Free game

Beginners have a significant advantage when it comes to playing online poker, as they can play with play money or micro-stakes with blinds as low as 1/2 cent. Additionally, there are freerolls and other tournaments without a buy-in, where players can become familiar with the game and gain experience without any risk or cost. However, in tournaments played without real money stakes, the skill level and, most importantly, the seriousness of the players are often limited. As a result, transitioning to playing online poker for real money later on usually poses a challenging task.

Varieties of Poker and Poker Software

For experienced players, online poker offers additional advantages such as the ability to play not only Texas Hold'em but also a variety of other games like Omaha, Draw, Razz, Stud Poker, as well as special games like 10-Game, HORSE, Open Face, or Badugi in almost all online poker rooms. Furthermore, you can play at multiple tables simultaneously, which adds to the excitement. Additionally, poker software programs can assist you in improving your skills. Heads-up displays and tracking software like the "Hold'em Manager" and "Poker Tracker" import statistics into a database during the game, where hand histories are stored. This software then provides you with statistics and information about your progress and even your opponents during a game session. Unfortunately, in recent times, many poker rooms have banned these online poker assistance programs. However, there are still providers that allow training programs or have even integrated them into their poker room software, offering them for free download.

One popular legal alternative among the array of assistive programs is the software called "PokerSnowie," which cannot be used during gameplay. With this program, you have the ability to reconstruct your played hands and discover, for practice purposes, how you could have played them perfectly in a specific situation. This tool allows you to delve into the intricacies of your decision-making process and refine your skills by simulating hypothetical scenarios.

Advantages of Live Poker

In Ireland, online poker players find themselves in a legal gray area. Strictly speaking, due to the ongoing state monopoly on gambling in Ireland, they are not allowed to play for real money on the internet. Legally, they are only on the completely safe side when playing in land-based casinos, even though no lawsuits against online players in Ireland are known. Only in the state-run casinos do they not have to worry about their money and could potentially make legal claims for winnings. Nevertheless, EU laws allow foreign providers to offer their games in Ireland as long as they have a license in a European country like Malta or Gibraltar.

At a casino, you can experience an entirely distinct ambiance and a unique atmosphere. The interaction with the dealer and fellow players during live poker cannot be compared to playing at online tables. Casinos also serve as meeting places, providing an opportunity to meet new people and establish connections.

Security

When it comes to technology, live poker has the advantage of being more secure in various aspects. There is no need to worry about the integrity of the random number generator or the potential advantages gained by hackers through "multi-accounting," "collusion," "hacking," or "poker bots." Although online providers do their utmost to prevent such fraudulent attempts, there will always be hackers and computer experts trying to circumvent their security measures. Rest assured, live poker eliminates these concerns, allowing players to focus solely on the game without any worries about technological vulnerabilities.

Die Tells

Contrary to popular belief, online poker also has tells, which are revealing signs or behaviors of a player that allow insights into their gameplay or hand. However, these tells in online poker are naturally much more diverse, easier to recognize, and can also include things like demeanor, clothing style, or manner of speaking. Live casinos are naturally immune to technological issues such as PC or internet disruptions. Thus, both variants of the game have their advantages and disadvantages. Each player must decide for themselves what they prefer. However, playing offline does not exclude playing online, and vice versa. Ideally, every player should alternate between playing live and online poker.