Why do I play better when multi-tabling?

A strange one this. I think I know the answer but I'm curious to hear other peoples views.

I play micro stakes online, mainly in 9 seat hyperturbo. More variance, more aggression, and most importantly for me, most games only take about 15 - 20 minutes (I rarely have more than that in a spot to play.)

Also, for context, I play strictly for fun. I consider a losing session I enjoy to be a win, and a winning session I don't to be a loss (see my previous thread). That said, its always nice to win.

Now here is the weird bit. I play much, much better when I'm multi tabling. I started doing that for fun and usually play 3 tables at a time. In the later stages If I've stayed in all three tables to the last few I'm snapping out decisions in a few seconds. I have, in the past, been heads up on 2 tables and one of 3 on the third. Its frenetic!

I've read my share of books and blogs and have a pretty good grasp of the maths. However I seem to do better when I don't have time to apply that, when I just make snap decisions.

Whats up with that?! Does anyone else suffer this strange affliction? It doesn't cause me a problem in live play...

I try to not multi table as it takes away from reading the pulse of the players/table. When I do find myself at several tables I seem to go on autopilot. This sounds like what you describe. I tend to get into trouble if I get slow played due to just reacting and not really thinking about what you are doing. Good Luck with your game.

When you are multi tabling, then you often play tighter (= better in early stages). And later, if you forced to make decisions in seconds or less, then you make often very good or the best decisions (subconsciously) based on your whole poker knowledge, i know this from blitz chess...and the first thought is often the best thought....

I personally find I play better when multi tabling, think you dont get bored and play mediocre hands.
more tables means make a quick (and often better gut choice) without second guessing- I know you miss out on steal opportunities and dont get a read on players (and I use no HUD), but I swear I often do my best with 4-8+ tbls,
even during league games- which are the hardest Ive ever played- I usually sneak in a few others ( but pay full attention to the CC one)
if it is a larger buyin and I am very deep in, I sometimes sit out of the less important ones (or at least pay more attention to the big one)

There is an argument for multitabling, ie better percent chance of getting a premium hand, so you dont get bored/anxious and start playing marginal hands...

I personally think if you really want to learn/improve you focus on one table. Learn everyone's tendencies and style of play and then go from there.

A lot of us adhd types find that we can't be in "full poker mode" without multiple tables going. I was like that for a while but lately I've found there is more than enough "stuff" to consider on 2 tables if I'm playing the regs where I want to get creative occasionally. Just be careful, adding an extra table is fine but if you find yourself bored and want to turn the tv on or rock out in between hands, then you're getting distracted and your game will undoubtedly suffer.

Wow, I thought that would have been just me.

Thanks guys. All of that sounds about right. Especially the focus thing.

I also find it helps me cope with variance. If I suck out on a 70 30 shot its easier to cope with if I don't have too long to wait for my next roll of the dice.

Xanax also helps with the boredom factor... It's like a Fast Forward button to life!

If I don't have two tables open, then I have something else going... watching a movie or something.

moemtg said:

Xanax also helps with the boredom factor... It's like a Fast Forward button to life!

Click to expand...

Dalwhenie 15 does it for me!

Multi-tabling can be helpful if you're the type of person who easily overthinks things, which can lead to outsmarting yourself / fancy play syndrome when you have enough time to do so.

As for those who say they get bored, that seems to be at least partly a way to justify playing more tables so as to be involved in more hands. It is more fun to play hands than to watch, but there's plenty to look for and think about on even one or two tables. It just takes some discipline to do this because it's one of the work aspects of the game.

Besides giving you more focus, I think you also don't get emotionally caught up in a particular hand or against a particular player, you just play the hands. You do need to pay attention though and not always make snap decisions - that could just be confirmation bias, do your stats prove out that you are making better decisions in similar spots?

Daniel72 said:

When you are multi tabling, then you often play tighter (= better in early stages). And later, if you forced to make decisions in seconds or less, then you make often very good or the best decisions (subconsciously) based on your whole poker knowledge, i know this from blitz chess...and the first thought is often the best thought....

Click to expand...

I totally agree... It's always been my motto in most all situations... "Never second guess yourself.." It's always worked for me and I too, have experienced the same thing....