Are Online Poker Cash Games Getting Harder?

Assesses the state of online poker cash games and whether the number of profitable players

is making these harder

Training sites, books, 1-on-1 coaching, poker software, multi-tablers, rakeback pros and of course web sites and forums worldwide are all possible contributors to observations that online poker cash games are getting harder. This article addresses this very question – and suggests that there is not only plenty of money still to be made, but that this is within reach of any motivated thinking poker player.

First we examine the factors which are often given as reasons that online poker cash games are getting harder – objectively summarizing each one. Next we evaluate the games and show how natural balance makes profitability of online poker games fluctuate. Finally we show you 3 possible ways of ensuring that you keep ahead of the pack to take more than your fair-share of online poker profits.

Are Online Poker Cash Games Getting Harder? Possible Contributing Factors

1. Poker Training Sites: Cardrunners, PxF, Lego, Real Poker Training… the list goes on. These sites have plugged some leaks in many players games and turned losers into winners. While the trainees are taking money from the tables we are not sure whether they would have otherwise continued to donate – or simply gone broke.

2.. Books: 100’000’s of poker books are sold worldwide at a variety of experience levels, how much use they are put to is a matter of debate, even those which are read may only be partially understood by inexperienced players. A Small effect perhapse.

3. Software Tools: Calculators, Databases, Heads-up Displays and Table Selection tools all contribute to enabling winners to increase their take – and in many cases to multi-table more effectively.Check our dedicated tools section for reviews of some of the Best Texas Holdem Tools.

4. Coaching: Serious students can plug their leaks and change to a winning mindset very fast with 1 on 1 coaching… creates winners certainly, a small percentage effect compared to other methods though.

5. Rakeback: While this is not a direct factor, rakeback does enable marginal winners to profit from the tables, what is more it encourages these players to multi-table.. taking up seats which might otherwise be filled with recreational players.

While these factors all contribute, there are two important points to bear in mind. Firstly that the turnover of online poker players is extremely high, only 30% will still be playing regularly after 1 year, with significantly less after two. The large number of new players at the tables will keep the lower limits profitable for thinking and experienced players.

Secondly, there is a form of natural balance at the tables. If too many winners join the game then those who were marginally profitable against losers now start to leak money themselves – leaving the game. Reduced profits mean that some grinders change game or site, making the game more profitable again and thus attractive to those grinders – and the circle begins again. This balance keeps the games from getting too tough, especially at the lower limits where many of the rakeback grinders are not big winners.

Are Online Poker Cash Games Getting Harder? 3 Easy Solutions!

If you meet someone on your favorite website or forum who is complaining that the games are getting hard but not doing anything about it then why not point them in the direction of this article!!

1. Smarter Choice Of Games: Why sit at a table with 5 grinders when there are games with 3 recreational (losing) players available with just a short wait. Taking just 10 minutes to select the weakest games ahead of a poker session can make a huge difference to your overall profits – which makes me wonder why so few people take this short time?

2. Smarter Choice Of Site: We all know which sites are the favorites of the grinders, while these do have a share of recreational players – you will be amazed at how soft games at some of the smaller sites can be! A common complaint is that there are not enough games to multi-table at many smaller sites… sure, but anything stopping you playing at two?!?

3. Rakeback Deals: If the combined effects of the factors above are reducing your profit why not do something really positive to boost it – pop over to our sister site Rakeback-Planet now and check out a selection of the Best Rakeback Deals.