Table selection

Look for a high % of players seeing flop (>35% is good, the higher the better) and a high avg. pot from the lobby. Then check out the table and if the numbers check out (i.e. there are a few donkeys still there showing down junk), jump in.

I personally look for tables where people buy-in for the minimum. For some reason these people are the players who tend to be donks. Also, I usually don't jump into an 8-person table right away. I look for a table where there are 5 or 6 players, then hop in.

Dorkus also has some good points.

Thanks, Dorkus Malorkus. I look at the numbers some, but never realy new how to take it. If you think about it just jumping into the first table you come by could be costly. Is there any thing else ?
and what do I look out for and avoid?

One thing I avoid is people with huge bankrolls at the table that far surpass my own. Easy to get in over my head. I like to stick to the 6 max, or short handed tables. One thing I have to remind myself: if the cards just aren't coming and/or you've got a bunch of idiots sucking out or rivering you, MOVE to another table!

I actually like finding a table where the quality of play is high. That way I can get in, and get a feel for the stronger players, and take the dumbasses out as they join in. I would prefer losing to a player better than myself than to lose on a suckout, because I feel you can always take something away from being outplayed. That being said, I know I can compete with some of the better players that play my choice in stakes, so I like to play with them. IMO this is the best way to progress as a player and prepare for the long run. You may win a few bucks here and there off of the "donks", but you will win more in the long run if you get in and swim with the sharks and learn from them. I'm not saying take your full roll into a high stakes table when you are used to playing $1-$2, but try and find a higher level of competition at your prefered stakes. I like to think of it the same way as me taking my basketball team to play against the State Champs in my class rather than playing the class doormat. Your ego is fed with the latter, but you take more and improve from playing against those better than you, especially if you can compete with them.

Well really depends on your goal. Are you there to win money or are you there to compete? If the answer is to win money then you HAVE to jump on the loose tables, Dork told you what to look for no need to repeat. NOW if you are a recreational player who really and truely is only interested in "competing" or simply looking for a good game then you should avoid loose tables and look for tables with lower flop percentages and players with relatively even chip counts in NL anyway this is not important in limit. So first thing is ask yourself what you want from the game and then choose your game accordingly.

xdmanx007 said:

Well really depends on your goal. Are you there to win money or are you there to compete? If the answer is to win money then you HAVE to jump on the loose tables, Dork told you what to look for no need to repeat. NOW if you are a recreational player who really and truely is only interested in "competing" or simply looking for a good game then you should avoid loose tables and look for tables with lower flop percentages and players with relatively even chip counts in NL anyway this is not important in limit. So first thing is ask yourself what you want from the game and then choose your game accordingly.

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I see what you are saying, x, as you won't win very many big pots against tighter players, at least not as many as you could against the looser players. However, my philosophy on the subject is directed solely towards long term gain. It is my opinion that only by fine tuning your own play against solid players can you improve enough to move up to higher stakes and truly make money. You are doing your game no good going up against inferior opponents every time out. It is my experience that you will eventually begin to play down to their level, rather than raising up to the level of superior players. If you are playing against super loose players, strategy goes out the window for the most part and luck is a much greater factor. However, I do see what you are getting at, and it is very sound advice for those looking to make money now. And I also see how my advice from above can be miscunstrued as simply wanting to play recreationally. I am studying to go into coaching, so I look at my poker game the way I would my basketball team (refer to the above allusion to basketball) To do well in the long run, you have to fine tune your play by playing quality opponents. That's why my beloved Oklahoma Sooners are playing teams like UCONN and Villanova this year rather than the Prarie View A&M's of the world. While an occasional 100 to 30 point win can boost the ego, and provide a win in the win/loss column, it will do nothing for their ultimate goal, a national championship. Even a close loss to a good team bodes well for them in the long run. Similarly, losing $10 to a very solid player may help you long term if you take note of what he did to beat you, and what you did to lose. Much more so than winning $30 on a hand from some yahoo that went all in with K4. Taking a few small beatings here and there can only help you if you pay attention to what you did wrong, and learning from those mistakes will win you more money down the line. Does this make sense at all?

ACTUALLY I was talking long term because at a very loose NL ring table you are actually quite likely to lose in the short term. NOW here is how a player looking to make money should look at the games. If the prize is the same and you can choose your opponent do you chose to play the all-star team or the team that hasn't won a game? btw SUPERB post!

Thanks to all!!! Just what I was looking for! I am in it for the $ when I play at ring tables. And it dosen't take long to figure out once I have sat down, what type of table I am at most times. I am in for the money, but also alwase trying to improve my game. I just realized that I never pay any atention to the stats of the tables I just jump in, and adapt to it, witch is a valuble tool in it self. But to the table stats can give an edge when you know what type of game you are looking for at that spacific time , . Thanks again guys you helped me out< and probably some other folks to.

another toll that is insanely useful is pokertracker with the gametime addon. On some sites anyways gives you upto dat stats on each player at the table after bout 30-40 hands any "feel" you have for a player can be justified by numbers unreal limit tool.