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 Although it’s
definitely not for everyone, playing at more than one table at a time (or “multi-tabling”) online can have
its advantages. The benefits will depend mostly on the individual player considering multi-tabling, along with some other
factors that control the feasibility of doing so successfully. Ability, motivation, personality and stamina are just a
few traits that will determine one’s candidacy for profitable multi-tabling. Stories abound of online pros who “make a
killing” playing 10 or 12 games simultaneously. Logic dictates that these tales are not myths, as no player would
willingly subject himself to consistently losing at a dozen tables at a time!
However, prematurely pushing the “multi-tabling envelope” to an extreme will undoubtedly have some very negative effects
on the overall experience of playing poker online. Much of the “passion” and “fun” of the game will be replaced by rote
mechanics. There simply isn’t any time to give due diligence to any one particular hand in progress, or make good reads
and decisions. There is little chance to learn or improve one’s game during a hand that flashes by in a millisecond. The
only motivation left for maintaining such a frantic pace is the hope of increased profits for the “type-A” action junkie.
Their DNA allows them to accept the sacrifice of playing less optimally, as long as their bottom line is an
ever-increasing bankroll. Just the idea of playing only a single table puts them into a coma, and the only possible way
to sharpen their concentration is by spreading themselves thin. They disregard the argument that performance on any one
table will suffer, as they have mastered the art of balancing counter-productivity with increasing their hourly profits.
There is a compromise between players who simply cannot cope with more than one table at a time and those that get
anxious unless they have an “action button” to click every two seconds. In fact, after some online experience, most
average players will fall somewhere in “a middle ground” and be able to competently manage two or three tables
simultaneously. Only experience and practice will determine the degree to which your play is impacted (negatively or
positively) by multi-tabling and where your “magic number” (of games) settles to make your online experience as enjoyable
and profitable as possible.
One of the most important things to consider when attempting to multi-table two, three or more games is the type of game
you choose to play. Try to avoid mixing up different (yet similarly formatted) games among many tables to avoid
unnecessary confusion. For instance, playing 7-Stud at two tables and Razz at two others can easily cause too many
mistakes. It’s just too simple (especially while playing at such a quicker pace) to inadvertently fold a strong Stud
holding because you erroneously thought it was one of the Razz tables suddenly calling for your attention. Even
Cash
games vs. Tournament games deserve segregation during multi-tabling, as the style of play in each becomes increasingly
different as the tournament enters its late stages while the ring game remains the same. In the cash game, you are
consistently playing only premium hands, while the last few rounds of, say, a Sit and Go require much more aggression
with a wider range of hands as the table gets short-handed and the blinds become more valuable. The same K9 you might
normally push with in tournament play to steal the blinds could be folded by accident if you mistakenly think it’s the
cash game that comes to the front of your screen asking for your decision. Throw in a HORSE table or two, and you can
really go nuts keeping track of which game you’re on when the action at each table reaches you (in a sometimes-startling
manner... “Beep beep”!!). Playing the same game at every table will enable you to get into a rhythm and improve your
concentration.
In addition to keeping the games to just one type, also consider whether or not the game itself is appropriate for
purposes of multi-tabling. Given the number of decisions you will have to make very quickly, you would much rather be
playing a more “robotic” game of poker, where your subconscious can take over without sacrificing too much in the way of
creativity. Games where you can apply a set “autopilot” strategy requiring less critical decisions are preferable for
multi-tabling. Such games might include “low” or “micro” stakes NL cash games (where one mistake won’t be catastrophic to
your bankroll), or the fast level (“turbo”) Sit and Go. In the small NL cash games, steady profits can still be earned by
donning blinders and playing only premium hands fast (including perhaps small pairs for value only if you should hit a
set). In the “Turbo Sit and Go”, you can also play a bit more “mindlessly” with a common sense, straightforward plan of –
“tight early” and “aggressive late”. In both these examples, you will be facing fewer “marginal” decisions based on a
quicker multi-tabling strategic criterion.
On the other hand, high(er) Limit cash games might require the application of some basic math (odds-figuring) during a
hand, a halfway decent knowledge of your opponents, and more awareness of what is going on at the table even while you
are not involved in a hand. Similarly, large MTTs (multi-table tournaments) warrant even more attention as the event
evolves, blinds increase, players come and go, etc. Results in these types of game situations may suffer dramatically
while multi-tabling.
There are also some logistic considerations to multi-tabling. The most obvious would be your actual computer hardware and
set up. You will want to be sure you can clearly see each table without them overlapping (too much) and/or constantly
appearing and disappearing as each requires your immediate attention. (The software of most sites offering the ability to
multi-table will usually keep bringing to the front of your screen that table which most urgently needs your decision.)
If you are going to be multi-tabling on a very regular basis, invest in a quality monitor capable of up to 1600x1200
resolution. At this setting, 4 typical online poker tables can be viewed without any overlap. If you aim to become one of
the “extreme” multi-tablers, you will eventually be facing a “dual monitor” configuration. Common sense also comes into
play while keeping your eyes on so much action simultaneously: Come up for air once in a while! Frequent breaks will go a
long way in staying focused. The games aren’t going anywhere, but your eyes just might throw in the towel without a rest
now and then.
When considering the idea of multi-tabling, remember to weigh in two important factors before you become overwhelmed and
totally burned out: How much fun are you having(?), and how steady is your game improving? These “intangibles” go far
beyond simply maximizing your profits. Completely sacrificing any enjoyment of the game and potentially becoming stagnant
in your playing ability because you’ve chosen to be a “profit robot” are risks that can negatively impact the over all
online poker experience by taking multi-tabling too far. On the positive side, undertaken in moderation, it can be a good
way to maintain your interest, keep things exciting and perhaps add a little extra boost to your bankroll. |
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