Online Poker: Is it Worth Playing? My Experience

[arthurz720]

Hey everyone!

I wanted to start a discussion about online poker, especially for those who are starting out or thinking about playing more seriously.

I started playing for fun, at micro-stakes tables, but over time I realized that online poker requires much more discipline than it seems. Unlike live poker, online you play many more hands per hour, so small mistakes end up costing you dearly in the long run.

Some things I've learned playing:

1. bankroll management is essential
There's no point in trying to move up the stakes quickly. If you don't have enough bankroll, a bad run can ruin everything.

2. Studying makes a big difference
Watching videos, analyzing hands, and understanding table positions completely changes the game.

3. Emotional control (tilt)
Online, it's very easy to go on tilt after a bad beat. If you don't control this, losses increase quickly.

4. Volume of play
One advantage of online poker is being able to play multiple tables at the same time, which helps increase volume and dilute variance.

In my opinion, online poker can be profitable, but it requires study, patience, and discipline.

I'd like to know from you:

Do you play more cash games or tournaments (MTT)?

What stakes do you usually play?

Does anyone here make a living from poker, or is it just a hobby?

 

[daniel.g]

Hey! I’ve noticed a lot of those same thing in o line poker, I player mid range stakes and freeroll tournaments and live cash games

I do it for a hobby but have been betting sports professionally for about 15 years

 

[wushibala]

Whether it’s worth playing online poker or not is something only you can decide. But I’ve noticed that most top-level players rarely play online. Yes, they do appear on some poker sites, but usually it’s because of advertising contracts, or they just log in occasionally to play. Most of the time they are playing live tournaments around the world, which makes you think about a few things.

 

[Poker Orifice]

Whether it’s worth playing online poker or not is something only you can decide. But I’ve noticed that most top-level players rarely play online. Yes, they do appear on some poker sites, but usually it’s because of advertising contracts, or they just log in occasionally to play. Most of the time they are playing live tournaments around the world, which makes you think about a few things.

it makes me think about where are you getting your information from

ie. the 255 entrants in the 'weekly' $10,000 buyin on GG. You don't think a lot of the World's best play in that event?

 

[Ch3tz]

I play tournaments
I play micro or low stake games
I have it as a hobby

 

[wushibala]

it makes me think about where are you getting your information from

ie. the 255 entrants in the 'weekly' $10,000 buyin on GG. You don't think a lot of the World's best play in that event?

In your opinion, does paying $10,000 for an entry automatically make someone a top player? I don’t think so. At one time, PokerStars signed contracts with some of the best players in the world — wsop champions and winners of other prestigious tournaments — and when those contracts ended, they disappeared from those poker rooms too. That does say something, doesn’t it?

 

[CaioRJ]

GGPoker is rigged, i have absolutely.

 

[anbu210]

Pros:

• Very convenient — you can play anytime from home.
• More volume of hands compared to live poker.
• Ability to multitask: take notes, use stats, track results.
• Many tournaments and stakes available for all bankrolls.

Cons:

• Games are often tougher due to strong regular players.
• Higher risk of tilt from fast gameplay.
• Less physical reads compared to live poker.
• Easy to overplay or grind too many hours.

 

[Poker Orifice]

In your opinion, does paying $10,000 for an entry automatically make someone a top player? I don’t think so. At one time, PokerStars signed contracts with some of the best players in the world — WSOP champions and winners of other prestigious tournaments — and when those contracts ended, they disappeared from those poker rooms too. That does say something, doesn’t it?

It has nothing to do with affording the buyin. Seems you have misinterpreted my meaning. BUT if you were to look at that field of players, you'll see many of the World's best in it. (& fwiw, I don't recall Pokerstars signing contracts with players based on ability... more on popularity)

 

[DarkSage]

It could be a great hobby, really! It should be!! But unfortunately, like anything else, humans ruined this too with their greed and lack of honesty, constant everywhere when it comes to humans.

It's utterly cheated, completely rigged. Therefore, sadly, no. It's not worth to play it.
You will likely win a few tournaments in the beggining, but it's not by merit. Althought it might seem it is, the game is actually designed that way to hook you. After those initial victories, the game will start to trap you, suddenly your KK is met AA, your AA will be met with a triple, your triple is met with a straight, even your full houses will find quads on the way. Suddenly, the whole universe turned against you. Suddenly, what was a winning streak becomes a nightmare. But why? If your skill didn't change, is that the famous variance?

Well, let me break it to you. No, it ain't. Its just a rigged shuffler.
You'll often see people talking about it, "oh variance this", "variance that", "oh because poker variance is too great", "oh, hands volume"...
Guess what: zero proof.

That's what they've got.:
Z-E-R-O P-R-O-O-F O-F I-T.

Feel free to believe Santa Klaus too.

Is it worth to play something that's openly cheating you? I don't think so.
The only end result for that journey is frustration.

 

[fernandovr]

I play as a hobby, mostly freerolls and micro stakes. It’s mainly for fun.

 

[bablovod]

And I hardly play anymore, access difficulties, replay is not available at all, although it's a play money game

 

[Baco]

Great post — you touched on pretty much all the fundamentals.

I mostly play cash games, especially online, because I like the consistency and control over variance. MTTs can be great, but the swings are brutal and require a lot more patience and mental resilience.

About stakes, I think the most important thing (like you said) is respecting bankroll management. Moving up too fast is one of the biggest mistakes players make. It’s better to beat your current limit confidently than to chase higher stakes unprepared.

One thing I’d add is that volume + quality need to be balanced. A lot of players focus only on playing more (multi-tabling), but if your decision-making drops, your edge disappears. So it’s not just about playing more — it’s about playing well consistently.

And about making a living: it’s definitely possible, but it’s much harder than it looks from the outside. You need solid technical skills, emotional control, and a very disciplined routine. For most people, it’s better to treat it seriously, but not rely on it financially right away.

Overall, I agree with you — poker is profitable, but only for those who approach it with discipline and long-term thinking.

 

[rufininha14]

In my opinion, it's definitely worth playing online poker. In my case, I don't play professionally, but whenever I can, I play and end up making a good extra income. Besides, I really enjoy playing as a hobby.

 

[okeedokalee]

The game relies to much on luck for the average person to take it seriously.

 

[MikeHunter]

I think it’s a good tool to practice, I’m sure lots of players find online harder then live. I think coming to cards chat and playing online really helps my live play.

 

[istbno]

Absolutely, I stick to tournaments mostly because I enjoy the changing dynamics and the challenge of adjusting to stacks and opponents. I play low to mid stakes, keeping within my bankroll to avoid unnecessary risk, and I treat poker seriously but not as my sole incomevariance is real, and discipline matters more than chasing quick wins. Online requires focus, patience, and emotional control, and I find sticking to consistent study and solid bankroll management is what keeps the game profitable and enjoyable over time.

 

[boxwaxer]

Just a hobby here. I enjoy playing/watching and consuming poker related content. No desire to be a pro. Seems like a lot of work hahah.