Multitabling or Single Table Poker

Multi-tabling is the act of playing several online poker tables at the same time versus single table play involving only one table. Almost every online poker site allows multi-tabling, anywhere from a maximum of 6 to as many as 24 tables. While it may seem extreme to play as many as 6 tables or more it is quite common online. Video sites like Youtube.com have several examples of multi-tabling in action. Each style of play has positives and negatives, suitable for different types of players.

Multi-tabling

• Higher Amount of Hands Played
• Higher Pre-Flop Expected Value
• Higher Rakeback
• Prone To Blind Stealing
• Human Error

Single Table

• More Attention to Opponents
• Higher Profitability
• Less Misclick Potential
• Less Rakeback
• Fewer Hands

The following chart represents a possible hourly win rate in terms of big bets won per 100 hands. A good online poker player at low level no limit stakes games could reasonably make 6 BBs / 100 hands. Focusing all of his attention on just one table will obviously mean full concentration on that table and better play. As more tables are added (multitabling) that same player’s win rate should be expected to drop. Folding marginal hands to avoid time consuming decisions and less evaluation of opponent play decrease the win rate. The tighter range of cards played coupled with the sheer volume of multitabling should increase gross profits while decreasing individual table win rate. As more and more tables get added the risks of bad play increases as well. The chart of winnings could look something like this:

.25/.50 NLHE – Assuming 60 Hands / Hour

* 1 Table = 6 BBs / 100 @ 50c BB = $1.80 / Hour
* 2 Tables = 5.5 BBs / 100 @ 50c BB = $ 3.30 / Hour
* 3 Tables = 4.5 BBs / 100 @ .50 BB = $ 4.05 / Hour
* 4 Tables = 3.75 BBs / 100 @ .50 BB = $4.50 / Hour
* 6 Tables = 3 BBs / 100 @ .50 BB = $ 5.40 / Hour
* 8 Tables = 2.25BBs / 100 @ .50 BB = $5.40 / Hour
* 10 Tables = 1.75 / 100 @ .50 BB = $ 5.25 / Hour
* 12 Tables = 1.25 BBs / 100 @ .50 BB = $ 4.50 / Hour

*Not including rakeback earnings

The key is finding balance when deciding how many tables to play. As you can see from the chart above a sweet spot exists for number of tables played. A player should play enough tables so that they can play a tight range of hands, yet not so many tables that they cannot focus properly to profit from those hands. Multi-tabling leads to better pre-flop expected value and rakeback, while single table play leads to a higher profitability percentage with less overall profit. In the end multi-tablers sacrifice reads on opponents for higher expected value preflop. Single table players sacrifice more hands played for higher profitability in the fewer hands they do play. Four to six tabling might be a good starting point for online play.

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