Poker Strategy: Multi-Table Playing
When you play poker online, you will quickly realize something: online poker is all about WAITING. There will be a lot of folded hands for you since you learned from the books to play tight. Consequently, you will often find yourself sitting out and doing nothing. This is when multi-tabling comes in.
Playing at several poker tables at the same time sounds crazy. And indeed many people will tell you no serious player should ever do this. But multi-table experts claim it is an essential part of successful online play. If you only play one game at a time, much of your online time is wasted. You will make less dollars per hour than you can with multi-tabling. When multi-tabling is done right, it is much more profitable than single-table play.
Consider these things about multi-tabling if you want to try it:
- Online poker profits are measured by the average money you earn per hour. A good multi-table player will earn less pr game they play, but more when it is all totaled—up to a certain point. Say if you earn $10/hour playing one game, you may earn $8/hour playing two games for a $16 total, $6/hour playing three games for an $18 total, $4/hour playing four games for $16, $2/hour playing six games for $12, and in seven games you lose money. Play the number of games that yield the most profits.
- Multi-tabling requires quick decision-making. You have less time to decide on each hand, so you have to think fast. The more experienced you are in poker, the better. If you're just a beginner, you're better off sticking to only one or two games.
- Online poker often comes with various bonuses and rewards. Multi-tabling lets you earn points faster than if you just played single tables. If the point rewards system is generous, it is more reason to try multi-tabling.
- Multi-tabling is not about "the more, the better." Play only as many poker tables as you can handle well. If you can play 7 Card Stud with your eyes closed, you can play more tables. But if you're new to Omaha, you should stick to just two games until you can play better.
- Time is an important factor. You may make $30/hour playing three games simultaneously. But if you are ready to quit after only half of that time, then obviously it is not a profitable way to go. You would be better off playing at $26/hour at two tables for four hours.
Multi-tabling can help you make more money from your time online. Just learn to balance the pros and cons and you will see it pays off more than playing single tables only.