Multi Tabling is simply playing on more then one table at a time. It is a very effective way to bonus whore, and it can increase your hourly rate when playing poker online. All of our Online Poker Rooms offer multi-tabling. There are a few things to think about when multi tabling at online poker rooms.
Here are our top 10 tips for multi tabling online:
1. Only play as many tables as you are comfortable with With ever additional table, your profit per table will go down. This is because it become more difficult to pay attention to each player and how they play. Make sure you don't over-do it. I usually play a maximum of four tables at once, but for certain games (full handed limit holdem and limit Omaha hi-low) I can play 6 tables effectively. Start slowly and work your way toward 3 and 4 tables.
2. Get a big monitor Having large overlaps is a big disadvantage when multi-tabling. You want to see all the action at all times. Some poker rooms like Full Tilt Poker allow you to re-size the tables, but a lot of poker rooms don't. I recommend a screen resolution of at least 1600X1200. This will allow you to see 4 poker tables at 800X600 with no overlap. Using dual monitors is another idea. My setup is a 24 inch wide screen gateway with 1920X1200 beside a 20 inch dell with a resolution of 1600X1200.
3. Keep track of your records! Find out where you are most effective, and do it! Keep records of when you are 2, 3, and 4 tabling, and find out where you are making the most money. I use Poker Tracker to keep track of my hourly rates when playing.
4. Avoid No-limit games Don't try to play more then a few no limit or pot limit games at a time. These type of games require more player knowledge and concentration, and one mistake on these tables can cost you a lot of money. Stick with limit games when playing more then 2 tables at a time
5. Stick with one type of game Don't play heads up and full handed, or 7 card stud and Omaha. Keep all your games the same games, and (if possible) near the same buy in amounts. Playing 3-6 and 2-4 is okay, but don't be playing a 1-2 game with a 10-20 game. The games are simply too different, and your style needs to be adjusting to the games.
6. Sit out quick if you get tilty Tilting at 4 or more tables at once is very very expensive. Sitting out, or better yet taking a break completely will save you money. If I'm not getting a good vibe on a table, or just getting some rough hands, i will just leave the table completely, and come in fresh at a new table.
7. Use the pre selected boxes for folding You need to be always looking around your screen, and waiting for the action will take too much time away. If you hand is junk, click the 'fold' box as soon as you get your cards. This will allow you to spend more time looking at tables where you have a good hand.
8. Take frequent breaks People don't realize how mentally fatiguing it is to play poker. This is even more true when you have to make 20 decisions a minute for an hour. I never play for more then one hour a sitting, taking a solid 5-10 minute break. You can sit out at the tables for usually up to 10 minutes before you are removed. Also, playing more then 8-10 hours a day is too much. Don't over do it.
9. No need for chatting Don't even both with the chat on the sites. Just disable it so it won't distract you.
10. Notes and hand histories are tough, but do them anyway If you can't check the last hand to see a folded hand, you are playing too many tables. You still need a few seconds to check hand histories and to take quick notes on your opponents.
There are two generally recognized ways to multi table online poker. Stacking and tiling.
STACKING:
Stacking is the best way to play if you are playing a very straight forward style of poker, and want to play as many tables as possible. It is useful if you have a small monitor, or want to play 12+ tables at once. What you want to do first is ensure that the poker room you are playing is set to automatically pop up the table that requires action. This will bring the table to the fore-front of your screen. Now you will join each table, and place the tables directly on top of each other. Now as each table requires your action, it will pop up to the front, and allow you to make the required action (fold, call, raise). If you ever hear of people playing at 16-24 tables at once, they are almost always stacking.
BENEFITS OF STACKING:
- Play easier on smaller screens
- No need to shrink tables tiny
- Mouse is always in same place, so no moving mouse and eyes around the screen
DRAWBACKS TO STACKING:
- Harder to spot the fish
- Gives you a tendency to play a very robotic style of poker
- Can get very difficult to determine who made last action (i.e. did you raise preflop? Did this player have the lead? etc.)
- Much harder to take notes
TILING:
Tiling is the way to play if you have a big monitor, or play at 4 or less tables. It means that you shrink all of the tables to fit your screen, so you can see all the action at all times. It is difficult to tile more then 6-8 tables at once.
BENEFITS OF STACKING:
- Can see all the action at all times
- Can use the fold button before your turn.
- Find the bad players easier
- See the results of your actions (if you shoved all in, were you called? what did they have? did you win the hand?)
DRAWBACKS TO STACKING:
- Tables are often shrunk quite small and difficult to see
- A lot of mouse movement and eye movement to follow the action
- Require a large screen to play at a lot of tables.
Whether you decide to stack the tables or tile the tables, always remember that the more tables you play at, the less money per table you will make. The key is to find your own balance. Some people can't play more then 2 tables at once. That is fine. Some people can comfortably handle 12 or more tables. Playing more tables is also more mentally fatiguing. Ensure you are taking enough breaks to keep your mind fresh.
