There are many in the online poker community who stake claim that there are more bad beats and suck outs on virtual tables online than there are in a live game with a deck of 52 tangible plastic cards. However, after examining the situation closer, it seems that there is a logical, systematic explanation as to how it could appear this way to your average player.
The first contributing factor is embarrassment. When your pocket aces get cracked by 9-10 off suit, all in pre-flop, it is easy to curse online poker up and down your block, blaming the software for rigging the winning hand. It is really quite simple to figure out, however. In an online game, one can make a preposterous play, such as calling all in pre flop with 9-10 off suit, and not have to endure the ridicule and puzzled faces from others at a live table.
One can simply close the window to the room and never hear about it again. The reason it seems like these types of beats occur more frequently online is because there are so many more opportunities for them to. If five times as many players are willing to play like this online than in a live setting, then it will appear to happen five times more frequently.
The second contributing factor is availability. Again, in order for a bad beat to occur, there has to be someone willing to put his chips in as a huge underdog- otherwise a bad beat cannot occur. In the online world, availability plays a major role in the decision making of a player. Often, in a live tournament setting, there is only one tournament going on.
You have taken the time to travel to the location of the tourney, utilizing time, gas, parking fees, etc. Once you are out of the tourney, you have not only lost your entry fee, but the above resources as well. And, unless you want to switch to a cash game(if there is one available) your poker playing is complete for the time being. Online tournaments of all buy-in ranges are starting virtually every minute.
A player can put all of his chips in with an inferior hand with the knowledge that if he does not get lucky, he can be playing again in a new tourney in just minutes and without having to even get up or drive to another casino.
So, if you play both online and in the casinos, take your next couple of visits and examine the difference in styles of play and you will understand why bad beats online are frequently complained about but unwarranted.
