Getting Started With Multi-Table Online Poker Play
by Dougie Goguen | Mar 30 2011
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Dougie helps players get their head around playing multiple tables at online poker sites.
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Online poker sites give players one major advantage over "real world" games - they can play at multiple tables at the same time! This means that no matter what, there's always something happening, even if you're sitting out at three tables. Mind you, there's a lot of advantages to playing at multiple tables (more money! more action!) but there's also some disadvantages and warnings you want to pay attention to first.
Advantages
If you can win, you can win more money. Let's say you win five to six big bets an hour at a regular table - playing at two tables means you can win ten to twelve big bets! That's math even I can do. I recommend that all players that are new to multi-tabling in real money poker games drop a step in their betting. In other words, if you're sitting at the $2/$1 tables, go ahead and kick it down to $1/.50 tables while you adjust.
If you're bored easily (like I am,) playing at multiple tables can keep your mind in the game because you've always got some kind of decision to make instead of waiting for someone else to play.
That combination of focus and action means that you'll probably play better poker overall, mucking marginal hands and letting good decisions rule your play.
Disadvantages
Multi-table play requires focus and you cannot let yourself get distracted at all. Turn off your cellphone and let your DVR keep you up to date with Top Chef when you're playing online poker. Don't play so many tables you can't focus on any one when you need to, either - that's just a great way to lose money that should be yours!
Your play is going to be math-based instead of psychological, most likely. Common betting patterns are likely to pass you by and you may not be able to figure out when a player is bluffing. On the other hand, you're going to be playing by math, which means you'll have more control over the factors that are available to you.
Tips
If you can, use four-color decks. They both make it easier to detect flushes that are ready to drop, but can help with eyestrain.
Speaking of eyestrain, look into a bigger monitor! Advanced in-screen technology means that nowadays you can pick up a 27" monitor for a song. The big web retailers are always running deals on these things.
Select one main table to which you give your best focus and attention, and have secondary tables where you play super-tight.
