Contributing expert Blair Rodman answers:
Video poker is much easier to learn than live poker for a number of reasons.
First, in video poker, you’re playing against a machine with a programmed pay schedule (as opposed to a thinking and scheming opponent). Second, you can play at your own pace and take as long as you like to decide what to do. Third, you can make absolutely perfect decisions when you do. The fact is, you can play video poker perfectly at all times, if you're willing to do what needs to be done. This includes practicing perfect play on your home computer via tutorial software like Win Poker and Frugal Video Poker. Or better yet, you can carry strategy cards into the casino to use on hands you're not sure of. Strategy cards, available for every video poker game that’s worth playing, instruct you on the perfect play for each hand, starting at beginner’s level and working up to expert. Playing perfectly when you have a good strategy card is simply a matter of following the rules.
Live poker, on the other hand, requires much more work and experience to even approach proficiency, and even when you reach expert status you can never be sure at any given time that you're doing the right thing. Meanwhile, plenty of pros out there are waiting to take your money while you learn. If you’re going to play in a real poker room -- whether in a casino or online -- and not get eaten alive, there are no shortcuts: You have to put in the hours reading books and really studying rules and strategy. But even the most dedicated poker student can't become good without playing experience.
You can play for free at any of the major online sites like Ultimatebet.com, Partypoker.com, and Pokerstars.com (personally, I prefer the interface at Ultimatebet.com). That’s a good way to practice without risking your bankroll. Then you can start playing for micro stakes while you get your skill levels up -- it’s possible to play for as little as 1¢-2¢ online (the minimum stakes you’ll find in a casino will be $2-$4 Texas hold 'em and $1-$3 seven-card stud).
That’s the simple answer to your question, but the crux is that video poker and live poker are two completely different animals that require work and dedication to master.
One more thing: Once you’ve mastered video poker, it quickly becomes pretty tedious, whereas playing live poker is a lifelong learning process that never gets boring.
Blair has been a full-time professional gambler for more than 20 years, primarily as a poker player (both in live games and tournaments). His poker book (co-authored with Lee Nelson), Kill Phil, will be published by Huntington Press this summer.
