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Should You Play at Multiple Tables?

by Matt Lessinger

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Of all the reasons people give for favoring online poker over cardroom poker, the one I appreciate the most is the ability to play in more than one game at a time. When online poker first originated, it was the ul timate novelty. Who ever thought it would be possible to play in two or more games at once? Now, the novelty has worn off for most people, but I still think it is the best perk of online poker.

Back in the day, most online players stuck to one game, while a few dared to play two. Now, almost every online player I know plays two or three games at a time, and I know one guy who even plays six! Needless to say, he is a nut, and I would never suggest doing that. Playing two or three games is more reasonable, and that is what most players do.

Once you begin playing multiple games, it's hard to go back. You are so used to your mind staying active, as you concentrate on balancing your attention between games, that it becomes a letdown to play only one. However, if you are serious about playing winning poker, then you should always be monitoring yourself to see if playing multiple games is in your best interest. Here are some factors to consider:

Do you get distracted?

Multitasking has become the new religion. However, I am a firm believer that when you are playing poker, you shouldn't be doing anything else. You should devote that time strictly to poker. When I started playing online, I used to have all sorts of distractions. I'd have football on the TV, or a friend on the phone, or an e-mail to send. There was always something going on besides just poker.

After a while, I realized that I was becoming too easily distracted. I wanted to give my full focus to poker, but one game wasn't holding my interest. That's when I started playing multiple games. It forced me to concentrate solely on my computer screen, and that led to improved results. Now, my TV is off while I'm playing, and rather than carry on a phone conversation, I tell whoever it is that I will call them back when I am done playing.

While you're playing online, if you find yourself doing too many non-poker-related things, then maybe you should open up an extra game. If you're playing $2-$4 hold'em, consider splitting your money, and putting it into two separate $1-$2 games. If that's what it takes to get your mind off of other things, then it's probably the right move.

How well can you concentrate?

At the same time, you have to make sure that you have no problem following the action in multiple games. I'm not just talking about making a decision once the action reaches you. Anyone can look at their cards, assess the situation, and decide what action to take. The question is, how informed of a decision are you making? If you are a habitual multi-game player, you should ask yourself these questions, and do your best to answer honestly:

  • Are you able to identify the weaker players in each of your games, the ones you should attack? Can you also identify who your strongest opponents are, the ones you should avoid?
  • How long does it take you to realize that a player has left one of your games? Are you usually aware of someone new sitting down?
  • Do you try to watch every showdown, even when you're no longer involved in the hand? (You are excused for the times you're involved in a hand at one of your other tables.)
  • Can you identify the players at your table who have been caught bluffing, even when you were not involved in the showdown?

If you answered "no" to any of those questions, then you are at a distinct disadvantage against opponents who are being more observant than you. Either you need to pay closer attention to your games, or you are playing too many games to be able to keep track of everything. Chances are that it's a little of both. You'll probably be better off by reducing the numbers of games you are in, and seeing if that helps you answer "yes" to all of the above questions.

There is no shame in admitting that you are not able to follow the action as closely as you should. In fact, I applaud you for being honest with yourself. You will end up in significantly better shape than the players who play four games at once, even though they have no business doing so because they refuse to admit that they are in over their heads.

How well have you done?

Results don't lie. If you have lost money playing online, then it's highly unlikely that playing multiple games will help. Chances are, you would simply increase your losses. Stick to playing one game until you've improved your results, and then once you're in the black, maybe multiple games will be to your advantage.

Winning players assume that playing more games directly translates to winning more money. Not true! Even if you've shown a profit by playing four games at once, it's possible that you would have done better by playing fewer. The fourth game might be hurting your results, since it takes that much more attention away from the other three.

There's only one serious way to be sure: Track your results. How have you done playing at two tables as compared to one? If two has worked better, then go with what works. Over time, you'll probably add a third table, but make sure you compare those results with how you did playing two tables. As long as your results continue to improve, then adding tables is clearly to your advantage. But, once you hit the point that your results take a downturn, go back to the number of tables where you did your best.

In conclusion

Since I play for a living, I look at everything in terms of dollars and cents. That doesn't mean I've forgotten how much fun it is to play in multiple games. The challenge of balancing your attention between games is very appealing, and if you play more for fun than profit, then you don't have to put too much stock into what I've said.

However, if you're in it for the money, then you should take everything I've said to heart. Winning poker is about sacrificing fun for profit. Sure, it would be fun to see every flop, but you know it would be a losing proposition. Similarly, playing four games is fun, but it might not be your best move. You might be better off trading in that fun for better results.

Matt Lessinger's "Bet With Less" column appears in Card Player magazine. He can be reached at mlessinger@hotmail.com.

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