Thoughts on 8-tabling

[Degen]

Ok so I'm setup to 8-table...got the huge 1600X1200 Dell Monitor for my desktop and a laptop w/ a massive screen linked up w/ MaxiVista.

I tried this once before w/ disasterous results, but I had two slow comps and all kinds of overlap...and i had to use two mice/keyboards etc.


I tried a few sets of five last night and a couple 6 tables. Smooth sailing. I'm about to give eight a shot (hopefully repeatedly) and thought I'd toss the concept out there for all you seasoned multi-monitor pro's.


The one adjustment that I noticed, which I kinda like, is the fact that in late-tourney there isn't really time to watch to see what happens on a push-steal or a call. You kinda just have to make decisions and then move on.

What other tips and trick are there?

Also how detrimental is this to ROI?


And are you constantly assessing your chip stacks and the blinds when you look at a table? This seems to be the only way to keep a good handle on it all.



Any thoughts whatsoever on multi-monitoring and 5+ tabling welcome.



Andre

[Blarg]

I think you're going to have to comb through the replies very carefully to find what fits your situation, because people will be describing what works for them or doesn't, and that is extremely subjective. As in, it will effect some people's ROI more than others -- and many will just guess how much it affects their ROI without extensive testing.

As for tips and tricks? Keep nearby something to wear in case you get cold, like a sweater or socks or whatever, something to drink, and most importantly something to pee in. Sooner or later, you'll need one.

[Degen]

[ QUOTE ]
and most importantly something to pee in

[/ QUOTE ]

/images/graemlins/grin.gif Thanks man. Guess i should add that i do them in sets. This wont matter all that much. I've tried constantly adding but i do horrible...i make loose calls in the early ones and forget to steal in the late ones.


Andre

[ChoicestHops]

I dont think I could 8-table SnG's. I can 8-table full limit ring games, but NL seems like it would be too fast to keep up with when it gets to be 6 players or so.

[Mr_J]

As long as you play a number of tables you are comfortable with, I don't see how it could hurt ROI much.

Did you try 6 with always 6 running? 8 in sets isn't any worse so you'd be halfway there (always having 8 running should be your goal, playing in sets is like giving away free money).

[Degen]

[ QUOTE ]
As long as you play a number of tables you are comfortable with, I don't see how it could hurt ROI much.

[/ QUOTE ]

Stupid mistakes, not being able to analyze the stacks, play, action, tempo as much. Then I think the biggest one is when you are ITM on five tables and don't maximize your earnings there w/ optimal play.

[ QUOTE ]
Did you try 6 with always 6 running?

[/ QUOTE ]

No, I do them all in sets.


[ QUOTE ]
playing in sets is like giving away free money).

[/ QUOTE ]

If you or anybody else could provide some insight on how to do this without playing sub-optimal poker i'd love to hear it. I've tried this on many occasions and it always results on me being pissed at myself for playing poorly. As i said before, IMO, this leads to looser calls early on and missing opportunities to steal late.


Andre

[Wu36]

You might want to try playing 6 continuously before you try 8 in sets. Once you can handle that then give 8 a shot.

[Degen]

lol i guess i am not being clear enuff

i can't even 4-table continuously...but if the past two nights are a correct indication, playing 6-8 tables in sets is a breeze.


The problem i am having is dealing with playing games at different levels, not with juggling all the tables.


Anybody have any suggestions for making the switch from continuous to sets?


Andre

[tech]

I think you will find that it becomes substantially easier with a bit of experience. When I started 8-tabling, I was overwhelmed and could not even really keep up. Now I can 8-table, read 2+2, and watch TV. As soon as I get another monitor, I am going to try for more tables.

[Benholio]

Level 1 (10/15), 800 Chips. ATo on the button. Folded to you, what do you do?

Level 6 (150/300), 800 Chips. ATo on the button. Folded to you, what do you do?

If you can answer both of those, then I don't see why you can't play continuously. Just slow down before clicking the "fold" or "raise" button for long enough to digest the situation. I have had to slow myself down when 8-tabling (seems counter intuitive, huh?) many times, to make sure I properly take in all of the available info before making the decision. You really have plenty of time.

I suggest playing continuously at 4 tables, then 6 tables, etc, to get used to it.

[AA suited]

[ QUOTE ]
Level 1 (10/15), 800 Chips. ATo on the button. Folded to you, what do you do?

Level 6 (150/300), 800 Chips. ATo on the button. Folded to you, what do you do?

If you can answer both of those, then I don't see why you can't play continuously. Just slow down before clicking the "fold" or "raise" button for long enough to digest the situation. I have had to slow myself down when 8-tabling (seems counter intuitive, huh?) many times, to make sure I properly take in all of the available info before making the decision. You really have plenty of time.

I suggest playing continuously at 4 tables, then 6 tables, etc, to get used to it.

[/ QUOTE ]

lvl1- limp in

lvl6- pooooosh

as for 6 tabling in sets is a breeze, dont get too overconfident with a sample size of 2 days.

[Apathy]

Don't limp that!!! yikes.

[curtains]

I raise ATo there both times, although I get the sense you are recommending folding in the 10-15 blind level?

[pergesu]

I think a standard raise at 10/15 is warranted, and a push at 150/300.

[AA suited]

[ QUOTE ]
Don't limp that!!! yikes.

[/ QUOTE ]

you would raise at lvl1?

but you risk being marked as a blind stealer so early in the tourny? unless u show cards at end?

[raptor517]

limping is a sin on the button when it is folded to you. holla

[raptor517]

well, i suppose here i can throw in my 2 cents. 8 tabling is cake, even running in sets. it just takes practice, and you have to be a quick thinker. playing 8 continuously is like taking a break for me. i can play all 8, take notes, talk on aim, post on 2+2, get up, make dinner, take a shower, whatever. (ok, maybe not take a shower..). 10 is fine continuously too, doing all of those same things. 12 is a bit tough continuously for me, as i like to talk and such, as well as record all of my data manually in aleos. thats probably the hardest part about 12 tabling, manually recording data while playing and trying to open up new tables. right now im playing 11 tables continuously. for the next few days ill probably adjust to 11 then go to 12. by then i should have it down to a science.

it doesnt matter what happens after you push. if u bust, you get a handy little popup. you have to be able to jump from screen to screen, assess the situation, analyze chip stacks, blind levels, etc, then shove. dont worry about seeing what happens, you can do that later.

how does it mess with my ROI? lol, i have no idea, it probably goes down, but my $/hr goes WAY up. plus extra rakeback is fun too.

tips and tricks? my best advice is just play a LOT. i dont mean a lot like 50 tourneys a day, i mean a lot like 100 tourneys a day. once you do that for a week or 2, it will be cake for you to run 8 continuously. take the roi hit for a couple days while you adjust. play the 33s or something. itll be worth it when you can run 12 continuously. holla

[Mr_J]

"Stupid mistakes, not being able to analyze the stacks, play, action, tempo as much."

That's why I said-
"As long as you play a number of tables you are comfortable with" /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

If you can't play continuously but can 6 table in sets, then try 7 and 8. I think it'd be better though if you started playing continuously, and then slowly add tables. The more tables you add, the more valuable being able to play continuously becomes.

If you are 4 tabling, continous is worth maybe an extra sng/hr/ If you are playing 8, it's worth 2 extra sngs. 20% increase in turnover, and if you can handle it well you won't really lose any ROI.

Move down in limits when you try to do continuously or plan to add more than 1 table in a short amount of time.

"not being able to analyze the stacks, play, action, tempo"

You may be taking too long to make decisions. Most of your decisions should be automatic. Ie take on glance at a table and take into account any read you have and pull the trigger. You shouldn't need to think about many of your decisions.

Also, never concerntrate on one hand, Always have a quick glance at the other tables while one is playing out. Watch for when cards are being dealt so you can fold immediately when needed.

Some things that help me:
- Use the auto fold button that pops up (not the permanent one at the far left of the screen). Making decisions before you a required to is efficient.
- Have the card dealing animation on. I use it as an alert. I'll take my quick look at the table and have made my decision before it's my turn to act,.
- Download a table mod. Choose one that is easy on your eyes, one without ppl or chairs, and has just the table, cards and balance. Do a search on the internet forum. The one I use is awesome (came from there) and is great to multitable with.