Do you feel more focused playing on desktop or mobile?

I sometimes switch between playing on my phone and my computer, and I’ve noticed my focus is very different depending on the device.


On mobile it feels more casual and easier to get distracted, while on desktop I tend to take things more seriously.


Do you notice a difference in your play depending on what device you use?

Undeniably, software and applications have a better interface on a desktop, and if you have a good engine, it's ideal.

I use my smartphone for travel, in the bedroom, or for recreation.

The interface on a computer is a radical change.

Good morning, Pub.

I have been playing poker since 2018. When I started, I played on a very simple notebook, with a Core i3-4005U processor, HDD, and 4 GB of RAM. At the time I didn’t understand much about computers (and I still don’t understand that much), but I started to research a bit. Then I made some upgrades: I installed an SSD and later added another 4 GB of RAM. The notebook improved a lot with that.

I kept playing and, in 2021, I had my best result so far: I won 800 dollars in a tournament on 888 Poker. With that money, I bought a 27-inch monitor and a computer. And honestly, the difference is huge. Playing on a computer with a big screen is much better, you perform much better.

But then that computer had problems, and I had to go back to the notebook. Then the notebook also started to get bad, and now I am playing on my phone. And man, the difference is very big — for the worse.

On the phone, especially in terms of patience, everything changes. I end up playing hands that I would never play on the computer. For example, making a 20 big blind resteal with A10 offsuit against a cutoff raise — that is something I would never do before. But on the phone, since you get more impatient, playing only one tournament, it becomes harder to stay focused for two, three hours, knowing that sometimes you won’t even cash or it will be a small payout.

So you end up trying to double up early, forcing situations, trying to build a stack to reach the final table… and that makes me get eliminated more often.

In short: playing on the phone is really bad.

Nesehorn156 said:

I sometimes switch between playing on my phone and my computer, and I’ve noticed my focus is very different depending on the device.


On mobile it feels more casual and easier to get distracted, while on desktop I tend to take things more seriously.


Do you notice a difference in your play depending on what device you use?

Click to expand...

You’ve only answered your question correctly in the second paragraph!

I’m actually the opposite, I focus more when playing on my phone because it’s almost impossible to switch between poker and something else during the game. But in terms of preference, I still prefer the computer since it’s easier to check the tournament data.

I’m exactly the same. On my desktop, I’m a professional - sitting upright, analysing ranges, feeling like a high-stakes pro.
On my phone? I’m usually horizontal on the couch with a bag of chips, wondering why I just 3-bet shoved with 7-2 offsuit because I got bored during a commercial break.
mobile poker is basically just a very expensive way for me to kill time while waiting for my Uber!

I prefer laptops.

Nesehorn156 said:

I sometimes switch between playing on my phone and my computer, and I’ve noticed my focus is very different depending on the device.

On mobile it feels more casual and easier to get distracted, while on desktop I tend to take things more seriously.

Do you notice a difference in your play depending on what device you use?

Click to expand...

I noticed a similar difference too and that's why nowadays I avoid playing from mobile unless it's really needed(maybe the power/internet goes off etc...), I prefer to play my poker sessions on desktop or not play at all... also, like other members said, most Apps made by the poker sites are kinda trash, at least on Android...

Personally, I just like the bigger screen. If you're playing in a tournament it is easier to see your rank and follow when the bubble bursts. If you play MTTs you can easily play multiple tables. I find most apps are not bad, but they don't offer the same choices as the desktop version. Plus you can only see one table at a time.

I'm definitely much more focused on the desktop; I still haven't gotten used to playing poker on mobile.

I play on several tables, so it's more convenient for me to play on my personal computer than on my phone.

more focused on phone i think, because its less easier for me to switch to another application

If I go to my phone at night, I fall asleep.

Playing on desktop generally makes it much easier to stay focused, at least for most people I’ve talked to.
The larger screen gives you a clearer overview, so you’re not constantly zooming or swiping just to see what’s going on.
There’s also something about sitting at a desk with a keyboard and mouse that naturally puts you in a more intentional, concentrated mindset.
On mobile, distractions creep in more easily — notifications, smaller controls, and the temptation to multitask.
Desktop setups also tend to feel more stable and immersive, which helps you stay locked in for longer sessions.
Mobile may be convenient, but when it comes to pure focus, desktop usually wins without much debate in my opinion.

I feel a difference too. On the computer I’m more focused and play more seriously, on my phone I tend to play more on autopilot and get distracted easily.

As I use more tables in different poker sites, then desktop is better for me

Without a doubt, on the PC it's much better!!!

On PC is much better. I see and recognise cards better and faster. I must say that my eyes are not so good and I must use glases. On mobil is everything small for me.

PC Master Race, always

My concentration is better on the computer, especially since I can do other tasks, listen to music, watch movies, do work research, and read general news. We live in a multitasking age. It's more difficult on a cell phone, as it doesn't support multiple tasks like poker.

I don't think that playing on my PC or mobile will affect my concentration. It just depends on what I'm most comfortable with that day.

Desktop. On a phone it is too little.

Desktop, when needed I grab my phone.

The phones a useful back up when my client cant connect to the internet for whatever reason and i hear what you are saying - you can only at max 4 table on a phone and even then it feels a lot faster and harder to manage than a desktop.

To play on mobile is nice for convenience, but I treat it almost like light poker, if I’m just killing time it’s fine to register a small tournament or a sit & go, but I wouldn’t grind a full serious session like that. Desktop just puts me in the right mindset: less distractions, better posture and easier to take notes on opponents. That mental shift improves my decision making.