02.15.07
Tips on Playing Multiple Tables Online
One advantage of playing poker online as opposed to in real life – at least if you’re an avid player – is the option of playing more than one table at the same time. At first, the thought of multiple table play is awe-inspiring. You start to think about how much money you can make. Playing two tables, you can make double the money…playing three, you can make triple what you make on one table. When these thoughts start running through your head, it’s important to think twice and really consider how much of a problem it will be to juggle tables.
Yes, before you go headfirst into multiple table play, there are a number of things you need to think about. Playing multiple tables can decrease your edge, it can make tilt worse, and you can become careless. Unfortunately, playing multiple tables creates huge unnecessary risks if you don’t manage your bankroll and stay 100% focused at all of the tables, thinking about everything from you card values, your table position, your opponents’ positions and playing habits.
That said, if you’re a seasoned player, if you’ve mastered the art of tight aggressive play and table position strategies, playing multiple tables, two tables instead of one, might be something to try.
The first thing you should do if you want to try two tables at once, is adjust the display resolutions on your PC so that you can see the tables as clearly as possible without damaging your eyes. It’s a bit of a balancing act.
You should then exercise considerable caution when you choose your tables. You need to choose tables that allow you to see your hand all the time. You can’t afford to miss a single detail of play; mistakes are too costly.
When and where you play online are two other things to think about. Table selection is underrated in poker but it’s something you need to practice.
The best way to choose a table online is to assess the available information. Specifically, you need to assess the average pot size and the flop percentage. These two statistics should be visible online. You should choose the table with the largest average pot size and the highest flop rate. The larger the pot, the larger your potential profit. The higher the flop rate, the more players are staying with poor or mediocre hands.
Identifying the types of players at the tables is another key to multiple table playing. You should watch for tight players, as they are the most predictable types of players and the easiest to play again. One of the best ways to play them is bluffing. They tend to fold unless they have a very strong hand.
Loose players should never be bluffed; they should be trapped with strong hands. Tight aggressive players should be avoided. You should play this way yourself. Don’t have tight aggressive players as opponents.
One of the last things to think about when it comes to multiple table play: the time of day you play.
If possible, play late at night and on weekends because drunk players and those who are playing for fun are more likely to be accessible. If you’re serious about making money, you need to pray on these weaker players. Playing late at night and on weekends will help you maintain a strong edge.
A couple of tips for multiple table play. You need to reduce the action required on your part. If possible, avoid flipping between screens. Try to keep both screens visible. Also, you should be very careful about hitting buttons. You can easily make a mistake, hitting call when you meant to fold, or raise when you meant to call.
Another problem of multiple tables is that you’re unlikely to be able to concentrate on assessing your opponents and watching the betting sequences because you have to move between tables. One solution is to play one game on a site your familiar with – against players your familiar with – and then another game on another site to which you’re relatively new. This way you can compensate on the site you’re new to by focusing on the play there and allowing your instincts to take over against players you know well enough.
Most players who advocate multiple table play say that two tables at once are manageable if you’re rested and not too distracted by other things. Particularly if you have the opportunity to play against a bunch of weak players, playing two, even three tables can have a very positive effect on your poker income.
Tags: Multiple Table Poker Play, Online Poker, Poker Strategy