In chapter 24 of Ace on the River, Barry Greenstein explains how online poker changes the way players learn, compete, and make money, while also introducing new risks and habits.
A New Path for Learning Poker
Greenstein notes that many future tournament stars will come from the online world, where players can gain enormous experience very cheaply through micro-stakes games and frequent tournaments. The internet allows beginners to practice thousands of hands quickly, which accelerates learning far beyond what is possible in live games.
Tracking Opponents Without Faces
Because players do not see each other, online poker requires different memory tools. He recommends taking notes on opponents’ tendencies and occasionally changing screen names so others do not adjust too easily to your style. Avoiding personal identifiers helps protect you from being targeted or remembered.
What You Lose Without Live Tells
Online play removes physical and verbal clues such as posture, timing of chip movements, and conversation. This makes strong starting-hand selection and solid fundamentals more important. However, players still reveal patterns through betting speed and online habits, which can be exploited.
Using Hand Histories as a Learning Tool
One major advantage of internet poker is access to complete hand records. Reviewing these after a session lets players analyze mistakes, understand opponents’ strategies, and check for suspicious patterns that might indicate cheating or collusion.
Practice vs. Profit
Greenstein suggests the internet is especially useful for practicing unfamiliar poker variants. However, many players treat it as a grind for money rather than a learning environment, often playing automatically and without full focus.
Speed, Multitabling, and Mental Fatigue
Online poker runs much faster than live poker, leading to more swings, more bad beats, and more emotional reactions. Many players handle boredom by playing multiple tables at once. While this increases total action, it also raises the risk of errors, autopilot decisions, and burnout. Regular breaks are essential to stay sharp.
Addiction and Lifestyle Risks
The ease of logging in at home makes online poker extremely addictive. Players can play all day without the natural breaks that come from traveling to a casino, which can blur the line between work and unhealthy compulsion.
Dealing With Cheating and Collusion
Because online players can coordinate privately, collusion is a real risk. Greenstein’s advice is practical: if you are winning, keep playing; if you are consistently losing in suspicious ways, leave the game.
The Money Potential
For disciplined, skilled players, online poker offers huge earning potential by playing multiple games at once and seeing many more hands per hour than in live play. Even a small percentage edge, when applied to enough volume, can produce a substantial income.
Final Takeaway
Greenstein views internet poker as a powerful tool that rewards volume, discipline, and technical skill, but also one that magnifies psychological weaknesses and bad habits. Used wisely, it can be a profitable extension of a professional poker career; used carelessly, it can quickly become destructive.