Multi-tabling

How the heck do you peeps multi-table?
I just can't do it. Maybe cause I'm old or something. Maybe I need a huge screen.
I'll give you an example, I play mostly sit n gos, I tried 2 at once( both pot limit omaha H/L) and was chip leader in both with 3 players left. The action intensifies at this point in my opinion, and I need to stay on top of the table to pick spots to push people around. To make a long story short, I ended up 3rd in both. I looked back and replayed some of the hands, and I found some mistakes. Mostly calls I would not have made, and areas where I should have pushed the action.
I'm fine with it until it gets down to the last 3 players on both tables ( and I do stagger the starts)
My math says two things. Most times I will close out the win with 3 players left. But I don't if I'm multi-tabling. So I make more money just playing one table.
BUT
I could make more money if I mastered multi-tabling !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe more ?

You shouldn't ever be calling by the time it's 3 handed in a SnG. If you're playing proper push/fold at the right time, then it's not really that bad. You're playing super tight in the early stages, then when it's push/fold it is what it is, so decisions are binary.

I generally play 9-12 at a time and just keep adding as I bust out. You're going to make some mistakes or miss some spots, but the multitude of tables will more than make up for the slight loss there.

Mase31683 said:

You shouldn't ever be calling by the time it's 3 handed in a SnG. If you're playing proper push/fold at the right time, then it's not really that bad. You're playing super tight in the early stages, then when it's push/fold it is what it is, so decisions are binary.

I generally play 9-12 at a time and just keep adding as I bust out. You're going to make some mistakes or miss some spots, but the multitude of tables will more than make up for the slight loss there.

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PLO H/L is a post flop game. I don't think he has to get it all in or fold. Sometimes you can't even get it all in pre if opp. just flat calls your pot bet.

To OP: I think your feeling rushed when you play 2 tables. Go ahead and use your entire clock if you feel you need to in order to play your best. Also it's kinda natural to watch a hand your not involved in to see how the board came and how you would have played it if you were in. Try to fight this urge and pay attention to the other table were you might still be involved in a hand. Now I'm not saying don't watch the other 2 guys for tendencies, but take your hand out of it, if that makes any sense. You'll get the hang of it with enough practice.

I can easily play 4 tables. But I haven't try more than that. Of course I do have a 1680x1050 monitor I guess that helps a lot. I'm with you in the matter that you tend to analyze all the hands in question at each table.. but is something you'll get use to with practice... as long as you keep multi-tabling.

Thinking faster is something that comes with practice. Some people find it easier to improve than others, so just find your own pace. I don't play much o8, but I'd guess that as you add tables, you'll also play a bit more ABC, which reduces the number of marginal decisions you have to make. It can also reduce your EV per table, but the idea behind multi-tabling in the first place is that doing so more than makes up the difference.

just because your the chip leader with a few people left doesnt mean you should be pushing people around. you still have to be patient. sit and wait for the right spot to be aggressive while they fight each other.

i have a large screen but i tend to keep my multi tabling at 2 or 3 tables max

i cant keep track of all the players and position if try more, i have also found that my results are better when i single table but i do well enough with the limited time i have to make multi tabling worth it

again, a big screen and lots of concentration is required imo

I've found that a HUD really helps a lot when trying to multitable as you dont have time to view everyones playing style.

most people i know just autopilot smaller sitngos.. not taking into consideration at all how people are playing.. just odds and hands.. hud is very helpfull yess ^

My multitable rate per hour is pretty even from 2 to 4 tables and is a lot worse at 5-6 tables for NLHE FR so I try to play 2 tables usually.

My advice for you would be to drop down a level and play two tables. See how that goes. Other wise stay at current level or maybe even go up one and focus on the one table play

It gets easier with practise over time. Your decisions will also become much more automatic.

I play five single-table SnGs at a time at the moment, and I got to that level by just adding one table at a time when I was feeling comfortable with the previous level. If I felt like I had time to browse the internet or check e-mail or whatever it was usually an indicator that I could add another one. It took months though and I definitely remember the "OMG this is all too hard and too fast" feeling, it ain't fun.

I'm playing turbo NLHE though so I've got the advantage that a lot of decisions are simplified push / fold ones and reads aren't quite as big a factor. I found that after some practice I was still making reads like I would at a single table and I was able to use them, but at the same time the nature of the game was a little more forgiving if there was a player or two I hadn't got a bead on yet.

I haven't played enough PLO8 (in SnG format, at least) to know if it's better or worse in that regard but given that it's more a postflop game than it is one about jamming preflop like NLHE I imagine it'll be a little bit harder to keep track of. In any case, just take it slow and don't add tables until you're read.

kmixer said:

My advice for you would be to drop down a level and play two tables. See how that goes. Other wise stay at current level or maybe even go up one and focus on the one table play

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Thats what I did a couple times the last 2 days, its a great way to practice it, mixed results so far.

I agree with you. Multi tabling has to result in you being distracted at some stage during a game. Lots of people do it successfully but for me my best results come when I am totally focused on one game only.

Multi-tabling ring games is easier than sngs because the former move much slower and usually have the full complement of players.

But try multi-tabling two Rush full ring cash games. After that four or five regular games are easy.

GCB said:

Multi-tabling ring games is easier than sngs because the former move much slower and usually have the full complement of players.

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On the other hand though, SnGs (especially STTs) involve mostly straightforward decisions so increase in the speed the game moves can be offset by the slightly reduced brainpower required to play them compared to, say, a 100BB deep cash game.

I started at one table, and eventually worked my way up to *drumroll* 3. I still play best at one table, able to boast a significant win rate which comes from focusing on one hand. I have a much higher % of hands played than most regs though (probably about 3x as much), and have an uncommon LAG style.

Were I to tighten down, I'd be comfortable playing four, but it's not the game I like, and I'd need a better set-up than my current internet connection and monitor.

I mentioned using a HUD before. If you're going to play 3 or above on a regular basis I would really recommend using a HUD. With one of these you can play as many games as you click playing only the cards for the first few blind levels and then looking at a players stats after there are a few hands on them. You can't get a really good read on someone but if after 20 hands they have a 60% play percentage theyre probably pretty loose. Doing things like this you can take multitabling to a dozen tables or more.

I only do two at a time and that when both table are full of people so I can have time to think for play and switch back and forth between the two taking notes

start one game, then start another one half way through. you can focus on the intense endgame on the one, while the lowblind of the other isn't as intense. as you master that then you can add tables. Colin Moshman says this in his book. Having a HUD as an earlier player mentioned is necessary.

This is very good advice. Next time I multiple at stars I am gonna try this.

akcash said:

start one game, then start another one half way through. you can focus on the intense endgame on the one, while the lowblind of the other isn't as intense. as you master that then you can add tables. Colin Moshman says this in his book. Having a HUD as an earlier player mentioned is necessary.

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does anybody have any advice as to when you are good to add tables?
is there a certain ROI you should have that qualifies you to add tables for sit n goes?

i'm playing 4 right now, my ROI is about 19% over about 80-90 games

I don't really like playing only 1 tournament at a time, I like to multi-table.

Basiclly if you play proper push/fold and play tight in the first levels you have a decent chance at betting these games for a small amount if your good. That being said the problem is that more and more these games winrates are dropping do to so many good players that are all basiclly playing the same style. You must game select better. If you see a bunch of good regs already signed up wait and make sure there are more bad players than good. If you see too many good players even if only a few than it's wise to avoid those games. They are probably better than you and on top of that if you happen to run good the rake will eat you before you put up a good profit playing vs. the other players that are not making many mistakes.

Also don't worry so much about 2 results. The number of games I've played online this year wouldn't even constitue a big enough sample size for me to rate my true winrate.