Multi-Tabling, more tables = more $'s?

So I have been 4 tabling when I play cash for a long long time and lately I've been having a hard time with it.

So a few days ago I decided to play 6 tables at once, not really sure why but anyway; since I upped my tables I really seem to have been playing better.

I think having 6 tables open keeps me more focused because there is just so much going on. When I 4 table I quite often get distracted and find myself browsing the web or watching TV while I play because I almost get bored and I usually end up making a dubious play which I then get pissed at.

When I play 6 tables I seem to play better, I am much more focused and perhaps maybe I play more ABC poker as opposed to trying to get too tricky.

Does anybody else find that the more tables they play the better they play? Also this is only NL20 so maybe the fact that I'm playing more ABC poker accounts for it.

Yes definetly, i play my best when i've got 4 going, 6 is too much for me at the minute, though i think it could be because i play on my laptop screen which isnt all that big, i play 4 tables tiled with a bit of overlap and find 4 quite easy because i can see when i'm being dealt cards at a table and straight away go and make a decision there.

I think that once i buy a desktop with a nice big monitor i could play 6 at a time, just gotta make sure i can see all the tables, god knows how people play with them cascaded the windows popping up all over the place tilts me, never mind the donk calls etc from the other players lol

I tightened up and my game improved loads when i went up to 4 tables though, i was getting bored with 2 like you were with 4 and making bad fancy play moves after an hour or so of play, now i play 4 it's not an issue anymore.

I'm not sure I like your logic.. "I'm having trouble with 4 tables, so let me try 6???" sounds like the # of tables isn't your problem but more of a psychological problem (i don't mean you need a shrink lol!)

Let me explain... I think that because you're just chilling at home at the computer it's easy to not pay attention when you have fewer tables (which is why you think you're doing better with more). Read up on what Chuck_Ts (and others) do for their warmups. I think it is extremely important to get into the right frame of mind before you star playing.

Playing 1 table live would not leave you anywhere as distracted as playing 1 table online right? Sure online is a bit faster because you don't have to wait for the deal and chip management, etc.. but you're still playing against several real people just like at a live game.. you just have a screen instead of felt.

Okay now for a couple bullet points.

- just like with moving up limits, don't move up # of tables until you are consistently winning at your current # of tables.. if you're having trouble beating 4 tables, move DOWN not UP (this is very similar to people who keep losing a lower limits and decide to move up so there's not as many idiots to give them bad beats.. HINT: those idiots are the ones funding profitable players)

- the fewer tables you have open the more time you have in between hands. use that time AS PRODUCTIVELY AS POSSIBLE. watch the other players play... look at stats, charts, strategy articles/books/videos even. the point is to keep your mind completely focused on poker.

spore said:

the point is to keep your mind completely focused on poker.

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and that is my point, not to deliberately ignore the rest of your points but playing more tables does keep me more focused.

HSM said:

and that is my point, not to deliberately ignore the rest of your points but playing more tables does keep me more focused.

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my point is that more tables is not always the most effective way to increase your focus. not saying you won't do better at 6 vs 4, just trying to get you to think of other ways to increase your focus that may be more effective.

you might want to check out Chuck_Ts' blog, he talks alot about struggling with the psychological part of the game (warm up sessions, tilt-checking, etc...) and staying focused.

OP, Spore is just trying to help you for the long haul of moving up limits and tables. He is looking at the bigger picture. However, some are happy with staying at the same limit and just play for fun. For me, I want to learn everything I can and beat the current limit I'm on, plus add more tables as I'm able.

Good advice Spore, I checked out Chuck T's blog and there is some great stuff on there!!! Thanks for the tip!!

I agree with spore. You should probably work on your concentration. I find 4 tables to be the best amount, though, so im kinda biased

playing more than one table has it's good and bad

good - you take your time playing the cards
minus - you accidently call at the wrong table and bust

aLoser4evR said:

playing more than one table has it's good and bad

good - you take your time playing the cards
minus - you accidently call at the wrong table and bust

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actually i would say that you spend less time playing the cards.....
which is why you get less ev
secondly, if you arent looking at your cards when you are clicking haha, then spread out the tables so you can see them...(i.e. dont cascade....)

Depends

I like to play a few MTT's at once it keeps me from getting to bored and becoming to loose in 1 tourney.I can see where this means possibly more money if your playing ring games but i don't believe it factors in tournament play unless your assuming it may have effects on your play.In ring games more hands seen is possibly more money won...or we all hope

dcor said:

actually i would say that you spend less time playing the cards.....
which is why you get less ev
secondly, if you arent looking at your cards when you are clicking haha, then spread out the tables so you can see them...(i.e. dont cascade....)

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It's interesting that people seem to be against cascading. I usually play 8 tables on my laptop so have to cascade and to be honest, I actually find it easier. Tiling looks really cluttered to me, and contrary to your post, with only one screen in view at a time, it's pretty easy to focus on the hand you're playing, so you don't really make dumb mistakes

Well it depends, personally I play best with two tables. You don't want to just always be playing your hands and position (although very important) but you also want to read opponents and observe how they play, it can be crucial in cashgames and with so much windows open you can miss alot of these.