playing more then 1 table ,bad idea

I was playing a trny and a ring game at the same time . In the ring game , I folded a boat to a flush all because I didnt see the board was paired. I am starting to think playing more then 1 table at a time is not so great . Its hard to study the players and sometimes you dont take your time with decisions . It also sucks that the screen is much smaller. WOW!! I still can not believe that i made such a mistake. What do you guys think about this??

I think it is a mistake to NOT play more than one table.
Your win rate per table will go down slightly.
But your hourly rate will go up more than the difference.


Of course losing players may want to limit their # of tables to 1 so they can 'last' longer between deposits.

It realy depends on the person. Some people are only comfortable playing one table, others play 25 tables on 5 diferent monitors! Personaly, I usualy play 2-4 tables depending on what I'm playing. You just need to have your mind on the right track.

I multi-table not even because it increases my win rate per hour if I am a winning player, but because it actually improves my concentration by giving me just enough to do that my mind doesn't wander. Also, it prevents impatience from making me take chances on dumb hands as I have more opportunities to play -- even if playing tight -- on 2+ tables.

I agree with you, cardsharp - i think it depends on the player.
I consider myself a decent player, but I absolutely cannot multitable. I think it is definitely a more profitable option if you can handle the multitasking, but for some people it just doesnt work.

I can do it but the games have to be hold'em or omaha. No way can I handle stud multitabling I have tried it once and I made some really bad mistakes. Also, the overlap is annoying if I had a bigger monitor with higher resolution i'd do it more often for sure.

It comes with practice. The first thing I'd suggest is play two tables of the exact same type of game (i.e. 2 1/2 LHE games, or 2 $10 NLHE SnGs, or whatever) first. Drop down a level or two if you're not confident as well.

Multitabling is so good for your winrate you're losing out by not trying to get into it (assuming you're a winning player).

I agree that some people are more 'natural' multitablers though. I'm incredibly impatient, and 3-4 tabling helps me stave off the boredom of folding hand after hand after hand during dry spells. That and I think it helps me play my 'ABC' game better (which is all you need to beat the low limits), as it makes me less likely to make silly moves.

Of course, you lose out on reads, which is why Pokertracker and PAHUD/GT+ are essential if you're going to multitable. They're no substitute for concrete reads (you should still take notes where possible), but they certainly help.

I just got Poker Tracker and PAHUD/GT+ and holy canoly has it ever made things easier for multi-tabling.

You're right, it's good for the win rate, good for staving off boredom, mitigated by the aforementioned software, and finally works best in games where you can play a fairly automated process. EG, I wouldn't multi-table heads up like I would ring or SNGs.

Some of it just comes down to what kind of player you are, though.

I agree with the above, I play at any one given time up too, 9 or so tables at a time, i make more money playing like that and yes sometimes when you switch tables you might hit the fold button, but it happens

I always play more than one table, normally on multiple sites. I just find it more fun, nothing to do with win/hr etc.

Try multitableing a 5 handed 5 card draw game...its imposible! Lol I can do it fine now but it was chaos the first few times I tried it. With only 2 betting rounds theres constant action, and then you've gotta click on the cards that you want to discard. It gets prety confuseing.

i have to multi-table... get too impatient with just 1 table, I think 3-4 is a good # for me

i like two tables. easy to keep mental track of players, and still keep yourself occupied

I tend to take more/better notes on people when I play more than 1 table. With ony 1 table going I'm always wraped up in some article on the internet barely paying attention to my poker game.

Edit: Im playing 1 table right now. Im reading posts here, checking my email and reading an article about pike fishing all at the same time. Im suprised I can manage to stay ontop of the game...

Of course, you lose out on reads, which is why Pokertracker and PAHUD/GT+ are essential if you're going to multitable. They're no substitute for concrete reads (you should still take notes where possible), but they certainly help.[/quote]

What exactly does this software do and how much?

Poker Tracker does a few things. You load your hand histories into it and it spews out a whole bunch of info about your game: how often you see a flop, how much profit/losses you're making, how often you win at showdowns, how you do from different positions or with different hands, etc. It's a great way to find and correct leaks in your game.

What it also does is collects information on everyone you play with. Over time, you get a sense about them, too -- how aggressive they are, how successful, etc. PAHUD is separate software that takes the results from Tracker and displays it right on your poker table so that you can see everyone's stats right there.

Both have trial versions but neither's full version is free. Google either of 'em to find them.

If you are going to multi-table, make sure the two poker screens are not lined up to each other. Let's say you want to call a hand on one then the other poker screen pops up which causes you to fold or go all in on whatever hand that is. It happened to me a couple of times, I once folded pocket Kings.

This is why you change your screen resolution, so you can actually every table you're playing at, instead of having them one on top of the other.