888Live series returns to London

Live poker is about as real as it gets. For most dedicated players, stepping into a bricks-and-mortar environment to flex their tactical muscles is the only way to play properly. It’s true that playing face-to-face is packed with drama, subtlety and skill that eludes the online reality, which means that for many it remains far superior to sitting behind a computer screen.

The great debate

The live experience beats playing digitally for a variety of reasons. One of the main benefits is the greater opportunity for bluffing. You have the chance to study your opponents, take advantage of their body language to improve your own game and hone your skills of deception.

Another major factor is the social element of competing in real time against flesh-and-blood challengers. Live poker champions psychological play and an interactive experience; it gives you the chance to make friends and then take their money with a fair hand.

It also goes without saying that games tend to be slower and deeper, tables much softer and participants more likely to play passively and limp pre-flop – elements that tend to be absent from when you play from your laptop or mobile.

Poker requires a whole set of abilities that are unique to the setting, which more often than not results in a more skilful and thus more profitable game.

The best of 888Live events

888Live hosts some quality tournaments for those looking to ante up in a live environment. The local series is one of the more popular events, with 31 buy-in events around the world in 2016 alone.

The local event held at Aspers in Westfield Stratford, London is one of the UK’s hottest poker tournaments. This year’s event, held in March, saw the victorious winner claim a £22,500 cash prize and a trip to gambling mecca, Las Vegas. Other highlights included former footballers Andy Cole and Danny Mills sitting down at the table for a turbo run, debut Team888 player Kara Scott’s netting of the £10,250 third-place finish, and a record number of entries for the London Local.

Following the success of this tournament, Aspers is now set to host a myriad of other events, welcoming players of all experience levels. The poker room is kitted out with 888Live branding and Aspers has committed to a 12-month partnership with 888Live to capitalise on the boom of the live poker experience.

The editorial unit