tips on how to multi table

any tips on how to multi table?

how do guys play 4,8,12,16,25+ tables?

how do they manage?

I can't seem to manage more than 2 tables at a time

One word: Practice.

Start adding 1 table at a time and make sure you play a decent size sample with that extra table. Once you are comfortable, try adding another. It seems hectic at first adding even a single table, but once you get a couple thousand hands under your belt with the extra table it seems normal.

Like the others said, it can be hectic at first when you get past 4, especially on one monitor. If you get up in the number of games being played at once, you will most likely need to buy dual monitors to spread out the tables.

On pokerstars there is also a "tile" option for the tables which will set up all the tables neatly fit onto your monitor without overlap.

If you are going to start multitabling I would also recommend using a tracking program like pokertracker or pokeroffice with heads up displays for your opponents. Once you get past 2 tables your reads tend to decrease more and more. If you have 8 tables going the program will automatically tell you their playing tendencies, which wouldn't be possible for you to pick up on alone.

Depends on what you are playing to a degree. If you are playing HU or short handed SnGs and can't play more than 2, well that isn't abnormal because you are playing almost every hand. The reason ppl can 12 table is because they 1. play quite tight so alot of the actions are simply clicking on fold 2. have multitabled for quite some time so are used to it and 3. have a HU display with a program like pokertracker so they don't waste time observing anybody.

so having pokertracker is ideal or a must?

It is ideal but not a must. More important for cash games than sngs since in tournaments ppl play differently depending on whether it is still a full ring or short handed and the size of the blinds etc etc. Just because somebody started out 11/5/3 doesn't mean they won't become LAG once the blinds rise and the game becomes short handed. You also don't encounter regulars in sngs.

since most handswill be folded, are there any decent programable bots to assist with preflop automation?

I'm sure there are, but they are illegal and if the poker site were to catch you using them (which their software does check) your account would be banned and they could confiscate all funds. Botting is illegal. Scripts to make things easier are legal, but you have to physically do an action, you can't make it make decisions for you and act on them. For example having a script for a pot sized bet is fine, but you must be the one to click it and consciously decide it. Understand?

And about Poker Tracker (and preferably a HUD such as PAHUD), if you're not using it and you're multitabling you're shooting yourself in both eyes. You are playing blind, and unless you can keep a good eye on everyone at all of your tables and classify them in your mind, you're losing out on a lot of value, much more than the software itself costs.