I just started playing NL Hold Em online. I attempted to play 2 tables at once and discovered my concentration wanes overall. If I play one table at a time, I am able to focus and play better. Am I in the minority here? Does anyone play just one table at a time to get a solid read on the rest of the players?
But now that I came across this thread, I don't understand how can you possibly play 4+ tables on your screen and be profitable. May someone explain to me how you can do this? Is it your command in knowledge of the game or some other factor?
In my case it was profitable because I was able to deal with bad beats better and have a pretty decent understanding of how players generally play at 2NL. I never tilted after a bad beat because I always had a strong hand at a table, so I was always in the action and didn't have to force the game.
You stick to ABC poker/premium hands and select tables where other players do the same, so you're able to take down pots with C-bets on rainbow boards with no backlash from others as they are (generally speaking) too timid. The same applies when you are value betting out of position onto a rainbow board because players have no interest in calling your
bluff when they've missed even if they have an inkling that you're full of it, it's too risky.
This allows you to play on auto pilot so-to-speak. The key when doing this is table selection and avoiding certain types of players like those who enjoy check raising, thus making it more difficult to play your AA causing you to worry that you've run into a set/semi-bluff . The idea is (no matter what limit your playing) to play against bad players and avoid the regulars who
play back at you.
When I stick to single tabling I'm able to get reads on my opponents as you are and exploit them, but after awhile it becomes monotonous knowing I'm putting all this time and energy into only winning a few cents/dollars at a time. Whenever a bad beat occurs it's a lot more stressful and I'm more prone to start spewing chips into the pot chasing my losses. Also, even when you sense weakness in you're opponent and make a great bluff, these guys don't like to fold their TPTK because they've waited so long for it and they justify calling by saying "it's only $1" he's gotta be
bluffing. It's pointless and it tilts me. Multi tabling solves this problem because I don't feel the need to bluff anymore.