Or at least the difference that has the most effect on the game. The electronic version is not random like real live cards. The computer program has to be told how to generate the cards, and it is not truly random. Worse than that, the program can be manipulated to, for example, give everyone in a 9-hand game a pair or better so everyone thinks they have a good hand, and they all bet and most of them lose more money than they should. This generates much more 'action' and thus more cut for the house. Sure we can talk about the chips, cards, dealers, etc...But what affects your odds in a bad way are these electronic machines. Although I don't prefer them, they are without a doubt inevitable. Thats why the underground home games are here to stay!

This is exactly why online poker is so much different than live, because you will usually find that several people have a good hand, or at least a good draw, and you will find that trips is many times the minimum hand to win rather than live poker where you might win with high card. I played last Saturday live poker at the Hard Rock HOTEL (not casino) at Universal Studios (took 3rd place this weekend, and 2nd place 2 weeks ago) and I think there was trips once all night and a full house once. When I play online at Full Tilt, trips is easily beaten regularly. BTW, they do not have poker all the time there, it is the local circuit (http://www.orlandoholdem.net) that has free poker games at many venues with prizes, and 1 person per year gets a free seat at the WSOP. I got a bottle of Rum each time I came in top 3 at this particular nightly venue, in addition to qualifying for the monthly tourney.

Speaking of Orlando Holdem, you can see a pic of me on their site by clicking on Photo Gallery. It was from last year's monthly tourney...Which one am I?

Dave C.
R-6666