Multiple Tables

Ive noticed alot of people playing online poker...and have heard from tv how people now play like...3 or 4 even upto 12 tables at one time. Cash tables..heads up games... Ive not tried it yet because im not sure if its a good plan. Can anyone who plays this way tell me? Is it difficult to keep up with them? does it improve your game by making you play less hands and only strong hands? Do you think its a good method for actually improving your overall game? Or is it just something poker junkies love to do?

Can of worms here.

What multi-tabling does do is limit over thinking. Most are using some sort of tracking software with Heads Up Displays (HUD). Poker Tracker3 or HoldemManager (HEM) are the most common.

We have players here multi-tabling way more than 12 tables, probably spread over several monitors. The action is intense, and I personally hit a limit at about 6 tables, but I can see how they trained their minds to deal with more.

I have played up to 13 tbls @ once on UB. No, it doesn't necessarily 'improve' your game but once you are able to play that many @ one time & see that many hands p/h or p/d, it will obviously boost your experience. You definitely play stronger hands more frequently & fold more as well.

Multi-tabling allow you to play more hands in a shorter period of time. If you can maintain the same winrate multi-tabling that you do when playing a single table, you make more money per hour. Multi-tabling does not make you a better player (though I agree w/dj11 that overthinking decreases).

If you want to be a better player and hourly rate doesn't matter to you, single table play is just fine.

Personally, I now get bored if I'm not playing 4 tables (I usually play 6) - except I'll drop to two tables when I'm trying something out in my game and want more time to think through each hand. Trying something in my game sometimes kills my winrate for a while anyhow, no need to maximize hand per hour while my winrate is lousy.

Multi-tabling online cash games is essential for someone looking to make a living from poker I'd say, as the additional tables mean slightly less variance. I.E. Crushing one table while simultaniously going broke on another may mean breaking even for the day (or better), where as taking a beat while single-tabling will be a real hit to your roll. Plus if your a solid by-the-numbers player, you'll see more premium and playable hands and (hopefully) win more cash.
For players looking for a bit of recreation its up to you, but if you are going to experiment with multi-tabling, drop down a level (even if it means playing micro's for a few days).
Multi-tabling cash games and MTT's can take the fun out of the game some days, and makes it feel more of a grind.
If you want to make real money at the game then try it out. The matrix games at Full Tilt are a good jumping-off point. $1.25 for 4 identical SnG tables. See how you fare with 4 games with very little risk.

kevkojak said:

Multi-tabling cash games and MTT's can take the fun out of the game some days, and makes it feel more of a grind.

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Exactly. I've tried MT, and had success with it monetary wise, you can earn more quickly. However its also easier to make mistakes and overlook situations. I also found it frantic at times. For me, it ruins the "game". I have now gone back to single tables where I am able to observe my opponents better, get inside their heads, and make appropriate plays. It is more creative and fun, which after all is why I play.

Having said all that, some people thrive on multi-tabling. Horses for courses.

Depends on your M.O. I suppose. It you're trying to make as much many as possible, playing as many games at once and you effectively can is probably best. I usually like to play in 3 or so at a time - keeps me playing often enough to not get bored and yet not overthink. Once I drop down to 1-2 I'll surf or email in between hands.

If it's a more serious or high stakes game though, I play just that one and watch all of the play, just like I would live.

slycbnew said:

Multi-tabling allow you to play more hands in a shorter period of time. If you can maintain the same winrate multi-tabling that you do when playing a single table, you make more money per hour. Multi-tabling does not make you a better player (though I agree w/dj11 that overthinking decreases).

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This.

You should single table (or at least play fewer tables) until you have a solid understanding of the game/limit that you play at. Multi tabling is purely a matter of increasing the amount you make per hour. Multi-tabling actually reduces your skill at any particular table because you have less time to think and because you won't have the reads that you otherwise would due to only making plays when it is your turn to act.

i have areally good friend who plays 16 tables at a 5-6 sessions. He is very successful and has a tracker installed. He plays on fulltilt and gets enormous rake back. about 5000 a month.

I think multi-tabling can be useful even if you play for leisure.
If you want to play tight but get really bored waiting for hands there's certainly no harm in opening an extra table.

Once you get to four and beyond depending on your multitasking ability, tightness and speed of decision making your play may deteriorate.

Open up another table, there is nothing to lose then see if you feel comfortable playing 3 or 4. If you take your time becoming accustomed to having more tables up I don't think you will experience the negative impacts of multitabling unless you try for 5 or 6 tables.

Playing 3-4 tables at once really shouldn't affect your bottom line. And in my opinion multitabling will make you a better player simply because you are going to see that more hands.

Thanks for all of your feed back guys. All your opinions make alot of sense so i think taking on a few matrix SnG's on full tilt will be my starting point..low buy ins to see what its like. Ill make another post to say how i find it, how i got on, and if ill keep doing it.