Moving from online to live poker often gives many players a problem. The transition can often lead a player to think he’s playing a completely different game.

In many ways, online poker and live poker are two altogether different poker games. The rules of the game may be the same, but when it comes to winning in live poker, they really are two different games.

The complete poker player should be able to succeed in both online poker and live poker. The following outlines a few of the differences one can expect when moving from online to live poker.

Slow Down, Cowboy
The pace of live poker is considerably slower than online poker. On a poker site such as Bodog Poker, there’s an average of about two hands per minute while in live games two minutes per hand is a rather good pace.

A live dealer moves a lot slower. Plus, it takes time to count and arrange chip stacks at the end of every hand. The online player is spoiled when it comes to these little poker perks. When switching to live poker, you’d better bring a Zen-like patience to the table. Without patience, the transition from online to live poker will be about as smooth as Michael Jordan trying to play baseball.

Reading Is Fundamental
Live poker is obviously filled with players who are live and direct. This means poker tells and reads become a bigger factor. It's a lot easier to tell if someone is bluffing if they are right in front of you and you can see them shaking in anxiety. If you’re used to online poker, you are not used to reading other players in a physical way. When switching to live poker, you’d better learn quick!

Live Pressure: Don't Let Them See You Sweat
On the other side of learning how to read other players, is the process of learning not to give away any tells. When inveterate online players switch to a live game, they often give themselves away to more experienced live poker players.

Developing a rigid, crafty, difficult-to-read poker personality requires the discipline of a Buddhist monk, and when switching from online to live poker, you had better keep this in mind. Luckily, you can often hide behind sunglasses and costumes.

Cash Rules Everything around Me
In live poker, you have access to your cash immediately. This subtle difference needs to be considered. It could affect the way you manage your bankroll. And this quick access to cash could also get you in trouble, if you’re not careful.