withawedge
Visionary
Silver Level
All,
I have seen a lot of threads on here about multi-tabling. Found this on-line a while back and been meaning to post it. No idea who the author is:
Should you be playing more than one table at once
If you've got what it takes, it's a great way to maximize your income is by participating in two or more simultaneous games via multi tables, but it can also be a great way to lose money if you're not consistently earning while playing a single hand.
Since the competition is of a lower caliber at low stakes limit tables, a skilled player should be able to consistently beat the table and by increasing the hourly hands played, increase their hourly earnings. As an alternative to multiple table play, players may choose instead to maintain single hand gaming, and simply move up to a higher stakes game. When evaluating your suitability for multiple table play, consider:
1…Do you have the skills?
2…Do you have the focus and discipline for multiple game play?
3…Is it any fun to play this way?
Obviously, the potential for profit maximization increases with a greater number of hands played per hour, but since your attention will be divided between games, we can’t reasonably expect our hourly earn rate to stay consistently high with increasing quantities of play. While some people can play 6 or more tables at once…unless you've got a mind like a computer, this is surely a recipe for disaster. For me anyway
In general, the best games for multiple play are low limit holdem games, where the majority of your decisions are based on tactics, pot odds and chosen strategy; and the needed level of attention per hand is not nearly as great as when playing in no limit higher stakes games. If you need to think about bluffing and play close attention to the situational and player characteristics at each table, then it is very hard to play more than a single hand well.
Skill
When playing in multiple games, you have as little as 15 seconds to evaluate your hand and make a smart play. Unless you’re a very experienced player with an easy comprehension of situational play and the ability to quickly calculate pot odds and value gaming, then you may not want to play beyond your abilities by condensing the time available for decision making.
Discipline
Even if your hourly earn rate is reduced by as much as 50%, when playing two games at once you come out even; but success is probable only when disciplined play is maintained. On one hand, by playing in more than one game at once you are less likely to make impatient bets or play to reduce boredom, but the probability of going on tilt can be increased when a simultaneous run of bad luck occurs at more than one table. Discipline is the key, and if you can't recognize in yourself the signs of on tilt play, then multiple table gaming may be a quick way to empty your bankroll.
Focus
The likelihood of human error increases when attention is divided between multiple hands, and it's too easy to press the wrong button or confuse two game situations to your detriment when your attention is divided; and because a few mistakes per hour can often reverse your hourly earnings into a net loss, unless you've got the ability to maintain a tight focus then you may want to consider sticking with a single game and simply moving up to a higher stakes table when ready.
Fun
Also pertinent is the enjoyment factor, and most people find playing multiple tables more stressful and less enjoyable than a single challenging game. Unless you're playing for a living, you probably don't want your poker hours to start feeling tedious, and you may want to consider having fun with a single leisurely game of poker.
Think about your skills as a player before entering into multiple table play, and don’t assume that because you can consistently win at higher limits, that you'll be capable of playing at the same level when your attention is divided.
Thanks
I have seen a lot of threads on here about multi-tabling. Found this on-line a while back and been meaning to post it. No idea who the author is:
Should you be playing more than one table at once
If you've got what it takes, it's a great way to maximize your income is by participating in two or more simultaneous games via multi tables, but it can also be a great way to lose money if you're not consistently earning while playing a single hand.
Since the competition is of a lower caliber at low stakes limit tables, a skilled player should be able to consistently beat the table and by increasing the hourly hands played, increase their hourly earnings. As an alternative to multiple table play, players may choose instead to maintain single hand gaming, and simply move up to a higher stakes game. When evaluating your suitability for multiple table play, consider:
1…Do you have the skills?
2…Do you have the focus and discipline for multiple game play?
3…Is it any fun to play this way?
Obviously, the potential for profit maximization increases with a greater number of hands played per hour, but since your attention will be divided between games, we can’t reasonably expect our hourly earn rate to stay consistently high with increasing quantities of play. While some people can play 6 or more tables at once…unless you've got a mind like a computer, this is surely a recipe for disaster. For me anyway
In general, the best games for multiple play are low limit holdem games, where the majority of your decisions are based on tactics, pot odds and chosen strategy; and the needed level of attention per hand is not nearly as great as when playing in no limit higher stakes games. If you need to think about bluffing and play close attention to the situational and player characteristics at each table, then it is very hard to play more than a single hand well.
Skill
When playing in multiple games, you have as little as 15 seconds to evaluate your hand and make a smart play. Unless you’re a very experienced player with an easy comprehension of situational play and the ability to quickly calculate pot odds and value gaming, then you may not want to play beyond your abilities by condensing the time available for decision making.
Discipline
Even if your hourly earn rate is reduced by as much as 50%, when playing two games at once you come out even; but success is probable only when disciplined play is maintained. On one hand, by playing in more than one game at once you are less likely to make impatient bets or play to reduce boredom, but the probability of going on tilt can be increased when a simultaneous run of bad luck occurs at more than one table. Discipline is the key, and if you can't recognize in yourself the signs of on tilt play, then multiple table gaming may be a quick way to empty your bankroll.
Focus
The likelihood of human error increases when attention is divided between multiple hands, and it's too easy to press the wrong button or confuse two game situations to your detriment when your attention is divided; and because a few mistakes per hour can often reverse your hourly earnings into a net loss, unless you've got the ability to maintain a tight focus then you may want to consider sticking with a single game and simply moving up to a higher stakes table when ready.
Fun
Also pertinent is the enjoyment factor, and most people find playing multiple tables more stressful and less enjoyable than a single challenging game. Unless you're playing for a living, you probably don't want your poker hours to start feeling tedious, and you may want to consider having fun with a single leisurely game of poker.
Think about your skills as a player before entering into multiple table play, and don’t assume that because you can consistently win at higher limits, that you'll be capable of playing at the same level when your attention is divided.
Thanks
