If you do make the switch, start small and be patient with yourself. The transition isn't easy but it's absolutely worth it for serious players.

Went back to my local room last weekend - half the tables were empty, average age seemed to be about 55, and the atmosphere was dead. Perhaps online is just the natural evolution of the game.

Might be time for this old dog to learn some new tricks after all.

Results are encouraging - up £340 over 15,000 hands. That's roughly 2.3bb/100 which apparently is decent for these stakes. More importantly, I can actually track my progress properly now.

Still plan to play live occasionally, but online is definitely becoming my main game. The convenience factor alone is huge.

Both formats have merit. Both require skill. Both can be profitable. Play what you enjoy and stop gatekeeping poker.

@casino_dan The networking argument is valid for high-stakes games, but most players aren't rubbing shoulders with business moguls at £1/£2. They're playing with taxi drivers and students - nothing wrong with that, but let's not pretend every live game is a scene from Casino Royale.

Let P(win_live) = probability of profit in live game
Let P(win_online) = probability of profit online game
Let EV_live = expected value live = (average_win × P(win_live)) - (average_loss × P(loss_live)) - rake_live
Let EV_online = expected value online = (average_win × P(win_online)) - (average_loss × P(loss_online)) - rake_online

Given that rake_online < rake_live significantly, and assuming skill levels remain constant, EV_online > EV_live mathematically.

The only variable that could change this equation is if P(win_live) >> P(win_online), meaning live games are substantially softer. But with solver availability and training tools, this gap is closing rapidly.

Plus, live tournament scores hit different. Winning £15K at a live comp versus grinding it online over months? The rush isn't comparable.

Online you can manage risk much better. Bad session at NL25? Drop to NL10. Downswing? Move down until you rebuild confidence. Live games don't offer that flexibility.

Withdrew £2,400 from PokerStars last month, hit my Barclays account in 18 hours. Try getting money that fast from a live game profit!

The educational resources available now are incredible. Jonathan Little's courses, solver work, GTO trainers. Live poker feels like learning to drive without mirrors.

Online I can play optimal poker without dealing with angle-shooters, drunk idiots, or waiting 45 minutes for a table. Sometimes efficiency trumps romance.

We've turned a beautiful, complex social game into a monotonous click-fest. Progress?

1. Start at lower stakes online - NL10 online plays tougher than 1/2 live
2. Get PokerTracker or Holdem Manager immediately
3. Join a training site like Upswing or Run It Once
4. Expect 3-4 months adjustment period minimum

The learning curve is steep but worth it. Took me 6 months to match my live hourly online, now I'm making 3x what I did grinding live games.

@ukgambler99 Those rake numbers are eye-watering when you put it like that. No wonder I've been struggling to show decent profits live.

Started a PokerStars account yesterday - the player pool is insane compared to my local card room. Seeing hands I'd wait hours for live every few minutes.

Best uk online poker sites I've found:

PokerStars is still king but 888 has been improving their promotions lately.

Most 'tells' recreational players think they see are complete nonsense. Meanwhile online you get actual statistical data - VPIP, PFR, 3-bet percentages, aggression factors. That's infinitely more valuable than 'he touched his nose so he's bluffing.'

Online you're essentially playing a video game with cartoon avatars. Sure it's +EV from a rake perspective, but are you actually playing poker anymore?

Let R_live = average live rake per hand = £4.50
Let R_online = average online rake per hand = £2.20
Let H = hands played per month = 2000

Annual rake difference = (R_live - R_online) × H × 12
= (4.50 - 2.20) × 2000 × 12 = £55,200

That's £55k more going to the house live versus online annually. Even for casual players doing 500 hands/month, you're looking at £13,800 difference. The math doesn't lie - online is objectively better for your bankroll.

@poker_pete_uk The rake difference is massive. Live rooms typically take £5-8 per pot, online it's usually 2.5-5% capped much lower. Over thousands of hands that's serious money.

Yes you lose the social reads, but honestly most recreational players think they're Phil Hellmuth reading souls when they're just making educated guesses. HUDs and proper stats are far more reliable.