One or Multiple games at a time? Sngs

I generally play 11 dollar single table standard speed Sngs and for the most part I play one game or table at a time. Every once in a while I might open another table and play two. I have won when doing so but I feel it is harder to watch the players when multi tasking like this. To date I am not using any software to help me with this. So my question is do most people play multiple tables at a time and if they do are they using software to help with their decision making? Is there software out there that is best suited for this type of playing? Right now I dont think I want to change from one or two tables but I would like to hear what a lot other people are doing.

My ruling for multitabling is: if you're consistently beating your current level for a reasonable ROI, try multitabling.
Generally I try to multitable when I feel very comfortable playing at my current level. That means even when I'm feeling a little tired, pissy or lazy I'm still playing a good game.

Really it's all about pushing your comfort zone, you have to do it carefully, but you'll have to do it sometime.

i wouldnt bother getting anything unless you plan on playing lots.. and when i say lots i mean 500 sng a month at LEAST... if your not planning on doing any of that, then its throwing money down the drain..

WiZZiM said:

i wouldnt bother getting anything unless you plan on playing lots.. and when i say lots i mean 500 sng a month at LEAST... if you not planning on doing any of that, then its throwing money down the drain..

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I think it's far less then 500. I would go down to 200. Remember not all of us play 30 tbls.

I dont think I even play a 100 a month so I think I will just stick to what I am doing now which is working out just fine for now anyways. Thanks for the advice!!

tomh7795 said:

I think it's far less then 500. I would go down to 200. Remember not all of us play 30 tbls.

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imo, if your not playing a load of tables, then its not worth the investment, like, if your not planning on taking it seriously, like, putting in the hard work, so that your able to add tables, then paying $150 for software doesnt seem worth the money.

But, if you are planning on making it in sng's, and are willing to really knuckle down and learn the game, put in the hours, studying and reviewing, then it may be a worthwhile investment.. but if your planning on just playing low stakes, and dont want to multitable over 4 tables, then dont bother with it.

WiZZiM said:

imo, if your not playing a load of tables, then its not worth the investment, like, if your not planning on taking it seriously, like, putting in the hard work, so that your able to add tables, then paying $150 for software doesnt seem worth the money.

But, if you are planning on making it in sng's, and are willing to really knuckle down and learn the game, put in the hours, studying and reviewing, then it may be a worthwhile investment.. but if your planning on just playing low stakes, and dont want to multitable over 4 tables, then dont bother with it.

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Firstly I play about 8 tables at once. Yes I do play hours but 500 sng to still way to many. I think 250 a month is a decent minimum

Just continue to focus on playing 1 table. You'll know when you're ready to begin adding more.
THere's really no ez-quick-fix of some poker software that's going to improve upon your results nearly as much as just keep doing what you're doing, learn the SNG game (theory)... and then you'll know when you're ready to multitable.

I do better playing multiple tables, keeps me from getting bored and playing hands I shouldn't be bothering with. I like to have 9 going at all times, seems like a good amount where I'm not overwhelmed with keeping track of where I'm push/fold, where I'm not, where bubble situations are occurring, etc.

Mase31683 said:

I do better playing multiple tables, keeps me from getting bored and playing hands I shouldn't be bothering with. I like to have 9 going at all times, seems like a good amount where I'm not overwhelmed with keeping track of where I'm push/fold, where I'm not, where bubble situations are occurring, etc.

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With playing 9 games I can imagine at that point you are playing your cards and playing your cards only? I mean there is no way you are watching and observing all the players play on all the tables at the same time. If I am wrong then I bow to you my friend . Not knocking your way just it is different then the way I look at it. I depend on my observations and my reads based on them. I change my play for individuals on the table too especially in the later half of the tournament. But that is me! I have played 2 and 3 at a time but at that point I am playing my cards.

I have a question for you. Do you feel your ROI is better or improved because you are playing that many games compared to say 1? You say playing multiple games keeps you from getting bored and stuff so was wondering if you believe it is good for ROI or not? I know what you mean about the getting bored thing that is why I have done and tried 2 and 3 tables at times.

i dont use a HUD until i go over 12 games, personally i can keep track of 12 tables, develop enough reads etc. again, its just an experience thing, the more games you play, the decisions get easier, especially in sng, where you come acrross the same decisions over and over. after i get past 12 tables, then ill switch my HUD on. And if you stack your tables, you wont need software like table ninja. and if i was playing in higher stakes, i wouldnt need the HUD as much either, as you come accross the same players a lot.. but at the lower stakes, its handy as players come and go a lot and it's tough to keep track of them all..


your ROI will decrease slightly as you add tables, as you will make a few more mistakes, but your hourly win rate will increase, plus, you reduce variance, as your able to play many tables at a lower stake, at the same win rate. and again, over time, as you multitable more and more, you make less mistakes.. so really, playing sng, you should be aiming to mass multitable them..

WiZZiM said:

i dont use a HUD until i go over 12 games, personally i can keep track of 12 tables, develop enough reads etc. again, its just an experience thing, the more games you play, the decisions get easier, especially in sng, where you come acrross the same decisions over and over. after i get past 12 tables, then ill switch my HUD on. And if you stack your tables, you wont need software like table ninja. and if i was playing in higher stakes, i wouldnt need the HUD as much either, as you come accross the same players a lot.. but at the lower stakes, its handy as players come and go a lot and it's tough to keep track of them all..


your ROI will decrease slightly as you add tables, as you will make a few more mistakes, but your hourly win rate will increase, plus, you reduce variance, as your able to play many tables at a lower stake, at the same win rate. and again, over time, as you multitable more and more, you make less mistakes.. so really, playing sng, you should be aiming to mass multitable them..

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May I ask what is a good evening and what is an everage evening for you? To be more specific you have 3 hours to play Sng's what would you win on a good 3 hour period vs an average period? I am trying to get a sense of what kinds of money people are making when they multi table on micro or lower levels.

umm roughly. over 3 hours id be able to play about 90 games. a really good day would be over $100, an average day, anywhere from 30-50. that is playing the 3.40 turbos.. but like everything, your not looking to stay at these stakes forever, you look to move up once bankroll allows, so in a months time i will be moving up to the 6.50's which has slightly better rake. but also, slightly better competition... less rake means higher ROI, but better players means less ROI. it kinda evens itself out.. at the higher stakes, maximum attainable ROI can be as low as 1-2%. your looking for 10% maximum attainable ROI for most low stakes games.

Ok that is cool and good to know. I am currently playing 11 and 22 tables and my bankroll is 400 so I am soon moving to 22 on a more full time basis. If I did multi tabling I run the risk of going broke so I am sticking to 1 maybe 2 tables at a time. That way I keep within the 5% rule. I played 4 games last night and I won 130 that is good but before that I was in the money for 6 straight games. I might be a little confused on your ROI comment. 2 weeks ago I never heard of the term and had no idea what my ROI was. I have since sharkscoped daily and I am sitting at 19 last night I was at 20 but I lost my last game and I dropped a point. Is that good for the level I am playing at?

how many games is it over... you should play at least 1000 games at the $11 level before you even know if your a winning player, and 3000 games before you can pin down your true ROI.. anything below that is a sample size that you shouldnt pay too much attention too.. 19% is really good, but, don't get discouraged when you cant maintain it, it's not an attainable ROI in the long term.

And personally, i wouldnt move up to the 22's just yet, keep putting in games at your current stake, and gain more confidence that way.

one last thing, while playing 1-2 tables at higher buy ins, your probably going to have decent ROI, but, your prone to experiencing variance, because your risking more per tournament, as mentioned above, multitabling can help to reduce variance as your risking smaller amounts of your bankroll in a game, but playing a lot of them so your not missing out on the hourly rate..

just something to keep in mind for the future, you will encounter variance at some stage in your poker life, if you play enough... just stick to your guys, keep making the right moves, and as said above, add tables if and when you want to, or are ready too.. good luck

I am looking to stay at 11 for the most part and take stabs at the 22 when I am running good. I won a 22 last night it was the first game I played. I came in second on 11 and then lost my 3rd.My last game was an 11 DoN and I lost for that for my 4th. Prior to loosing my 3rd game last night I was on a 7 game winning streak (In the money). Thanks for the advice you are probably right about the ROI but time will tell. If I get my way it is only going to get better!! lol but we all say things like that

if your beating the game at one table try multiple tables, if your beating the game at multiple tables stick with it, if your not beating the game at multiple tables go back to one table

mapjay said:

I am looking to stay at 11 for the most part and take stabs at the 22 when I am running good. I won a 22 last night it was the first game I played. I came in second on 11 and then lost my 3rd.My last game was an 11 DoN and I lost for that for my 4th. Prior to loosing my 3rd game last night I was on a 7 game winning streak (In the money). Thanks for the advice you are probably right about the ROI but time will tell. If I get my way it is only going to get better!! lol but we all say things like that

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Taking shots outside of bankroll management is 'losing poker'.

I don't mind playing multiple SNG's as long as they all start around the same time.

It's gets more complicated trying to play them if there is a mix of early middle and late tournament play going on.

Lets say you play 9 tables, $2 buy-in sng's, 9 man.

You have a great session, everything's going great, and you cash in 7 of the 9, how do you suppose playing 3 handed/heads up on 7 tables?

Lets assume the reply would be multi-tabling to this extent is just to show a profit and get in the money by playing so tight; now lets look at profit.

(Not using tax)
You pay 18 dollars to get into these 9 sng's you finish third, due to inability to multitable 3 handed/heads up on 7 different tables, 5 times.
So the cashout for third is $3.60 and you gain a profit of $8 on these 5 tables. Then on the other two tables, lets give you the benefit of the doubt, and you cash second for $5.40 giving you a profit of $6.80 on these two games. Overall profit would be $14.80 on your big day. But wait.. You didn't cash in two of them so subtract $4. Your overall profit on this "big day" is $10.80.

Now lets assume you play 3 tables, effectively, and lets not give you the benefit of the doubt and lets say you finished 2nd, 2nd and 3rd. Nothing incredible, but i'd say a real solid session. You make $5.40 twice, and $3.60 once, creating an $8.40 profit.

Seems pretty similar to me, difference is multiple things though..
Playing 5 handed/4 handed will still be pretty hard playing so many tables, and consistently cashing 7 out of 9 games is unlikely, if you do that then all the big ups to you. But, by playing 3 games, you play them all effectively giving you a great shot at first place, and a nice profit even if not.

WiZZiM said:

umm roughly. over 3 hours id be able to play about 90 games. a really good day would be over $100, an average day, anywhere from 30-50. that is playing the 3.40 turbos.. but like everything, your not looking to stay at these stakes forever, you look to move up once bankroll allows, so in a months time i will be moving up to the 6.50's which has slightly better rake. but also, slightly better competition... less rake means higher ROI, but better players means less ROI. it kinda evens itself out.. at the higher stakes, maximum attainable ROI can be as low as 1-2%. your looking for 10% maximum attainable ROI for most low stakes games.

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Please.... I mean 'Please...'
You'd be rolled for the $6's in one week (maybe 2wks total).
90games over 3hrs.?? You've averaged 11/day over the past 30days.

Poker Orifice said:

Please.... I mean 'Please...'
You'd be rolled for the $6's in one week (maybe 2wks total).
90games over 3hrs.?? You've averaged 11/day over the past 30days.

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ok so, firstly, i made a promise to myself that i was going to play the 3.40's until i reached the sharkscope sng profit leaderboard.. it's kind of like a mini challenge to stay at one level for a long period.. im already rolled for the 6'es, and have been for some time. in fact, if i used my outside money, you could say im rolled for the 27's..

secondly. your right, i havnt played much at all last month, i believe i put in a few games at the start of the month, but nothing lately, due to work being so busy.. plus, i dont feel like playing, so i wont.

When i answered the question it was from the point of view of if i was grinding them seriously... anyways, if youd like, you can rail me for 3 hours and i can show you how many i can play? or just sharkscope me again... oh notice i said "able to play" this doesnt mean i do play that many or even want to play that many, but im quite capable of playing 3 sets of 30 games in 3 hours. lol.