When to Start Multi-Tabling...?
 

I've been playing since January, and have since moved through the $5.50s, $11s, and am currently playing the $22s. I almost have enough of a roll to move to the $33s. I've almost exclusively single-tabled these past few months.

My goal at first was to just learn how to play poker, and not worry too much about my bankroll as long as I didn't constantly have to re-load. Since I've been able to move up carefully, while also "slowly" building my bankroll, I've decided to shift into bankroll-building mode.

My question is, should I continue to single-table for a while and attempt to push into ever higher levels, or stay at the $22s (or drop back to the $11s) and start multi-tabling?

Another thought is to alternate sessions: multi-table a lower level one session and single-table the higher level the next.

Any thoughts on this, and comments from your own personal experience would be appreciated.

(BTW - I spent about twenty minutes searching for an older post on this topic with no luck. Since I'm sure it must have been covered multiple times, I can only conclude that I suck using the 2+2 search feature.)

Re: When to Start Multi-Tabling...?
 

No one can really answer for you so I'll just tell you my experience.

I wanted to multi-table, but not with overlap. When I got a monitor that could handle 4 tables I started playing 2. When that was easy, I played 3. When that was easy, I played 4, which is where I'm at now and thinking about getting set up to go for 5->6->7->8 tables.

Re: When to Start Multi-Tabling...?
 

First learning how to multi-table can be kind of rough. Once you get used to it, though, every other table you add gets easier.

Dropping down a level to learn to multi-table isn't a bad idea, especially since you generally will make a little less per table no matter how good you are at multi-tabling. There's no way to tell how important it might be for you to do that, since it's an individual thing. You might do just fine at the level you're at.

More important is the speed at which you add more tables. You might want to try to play two tables for a few hours or a day or two, then three tables the same way, etc. Just so you have enough time to deal with stress and boredom on an increased number of tables, and see what they do to your play.

I think almost anyone can play two tables just about as well as they can play one, but it varies from there when it comes to adding other tables. And it all takes a bit of getting used to. Don't sweat it too much; it will probably be a bit easier than you think it will. The hardest thing is going from say 4 to five tables, because it's a situation where you have to look back and forth at more than one monitor at a time, if you're doing the standard four at one table.

Re: When to Start Multi-Tabling...?
 

I remember trying to add tables at first when I was playing cash games. I had a few gos at it but just couldn't quite get it. then one day it was just as easy to play 2 as 1 for me so I added a 3rd and that was fine.

then I started playing sngs and added a 4th. (this was at the 22s) After doing that for a while I added a monitor and jumped to 6 and then to 8. (this was at the 30s which were my normal level at that point)

i dont know take it slow and just keep adding them as u see fit. i really think playing 2 tables is really close to exactly the same as playing 1. its funny how slow playing 1 table is after playing 8 for a few hundred hours.

Re: When to Start Multi-Tabling...?
 

If you're just beginning, single tabling is a good idea. You will learn the most about SNGs single tabling. If you are a winning player at the 22s and have built up a roll for the 33s I'm sure you are generally on the right track. My advice would be to start 2 tabling the 11s, then 3, then 4, and once you can 4 table like it is easy move up to 4 at the 22s.

Re: When to Start Multi-Tabling...?
 

You will know when to add tables. It is when you get impatient/bored when playing.

Re: When to Start Multi-Tabling...?
 

No need to drop for 2 tabling because I am convinced that this merely kills boredom and helps your game. 4 tabling, I would say go to the 11s and practice making the +EV decision on every hand with 4 tables up. This takes a few sets especially if you are watching TV and talking on IM.

Re: When to Start Multi-Tabling...?
 

Doing 2-tables shouln't be a problem at all and there should be no need to drop a level or two. If you want to jump right into 3-4 tabling, I'd suggest moving down to start. I think you'll find that initially bubble play is overwhelming if you are bubbling on 3-4 tables. Early play for me almost always boring, even with multiple tables open, and I find myself reading 2+2 in my spare time.

Eventually you'll get a feel for more tables and anything less will be REALLY slow. You'll also try to find ways to add even more tables. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: When to Start Multi-Tabling...?
 

You should have started a long time ago. You're giving money away, and I have no idea how you fight the boredom.

Re: When to Start Multi-Tabling...?
 

Also, don't try to jump to three or four. Add one at a time (at first, anyway -- I can see a jump from 4 to 6, e.g.).

Re: When to Start Multi-Tabling...?
 

Going from 4 to anything more than four is the biggest jump there is, I think. Looking at two monitors instead of one is a strange adjustment at first. I used to time out or just get really strangely flustered for a while when I first tried 5, with the 5th on a separate monitor.

Re: When to Start Multi-Tabling...?
 

[ QUOTE ]
You should have started a long time ago. You're giving money away, and I have no idea how you fight the boredom.

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The boredom is a serious issue. I try to watch everything closely and take notes on everybody. I also play a game where I try to predict the first three to get knocked out and who I'm likely to be playing around the bubble. It's surprisingly easy to identify them even after only a round or two.

I'm not sure about throwing money away. If you risk $100/hour at a single table or $100/hour multi-tabling, if you can maintain a similar ROI there is no difference to your roll. I know, a $100 table will give you < ROI but I figure multi-tabling must also reduce your ROI at lower levels.

Re: When to Start Multi-Tabling...?
 

If you are concerned at all about risk of ruin, you need a much bigger bankroll to say single table the $109s as oppossed to playing 5 tables in the $22s.

Re: When to Start Multi-Tabling...?
 

[ QUOTE ]
If you are concerned at all about risk of ruin, you need a much bigger bankroll to say single table the $109s as oppossed to playing 5 tables in the $22s.

[/ QUOTE ]

So you're saying variance would be much higher single-tabling the $109s than muti-tabling the $22s even if your ROI was similar?

I'm in no danger of moving to the $109s anytime soon anyway... I was only speaking theoretically.

Re: When to Start Multi-Tabling...?
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
If you are concerned at all about risk of ruin, you need a much bigger bankroll to say single table the $109s as oppossed to playing 5 tables in the $22s.

[/ QUOTE ]

So you're saying variance would be much higher single-tabling the $109s than muti-tabling the $22s even if your ROI was similar?

[/ QUOTE ]

I think he's saying your ROI won't be similar. To invest the same amount single-tabling as you would multi-tabling, you're going to be putting yourself in tougher games.

Re: When to Start Multi-Tabling...?
 

It doesn't matter what the game is. The more games you play, the more time variance has to even itself out, bringing you closer to your expected results. That's one reason why some people would rather multi-table than move up limits, even if they're good enough to play much higher. At a higher level, betting for more money but on fewer tables, you may never recover from a bout of bad variance. Playing a high number of games at a lower level, you'll almost always recover from a bad streak if you know your game. So playing four games of 5/10 will always be safer than playing one game of 20/40.

Re: When to Start Multi-Tabling...?
 

Multitable becuase one STT at a time is boring.

Re: When to Start Multi-Tabling...?
 

I always multi-table now, until the blinds hit 50-100 there isn't very much to do. I play on another table of pot-limit Omaha or small stakes 6 max NLHE. There doesn't seem to be a great gain in identifying all the loose players as they are often all knocked out before 50-100.

If I make it to the last 5 then I, usually but not if the other game is good, close my other games and consentrate on the SnG.

Playing two table seems to inprove my play on both as I'm inclined to be tighter preflop which must be good.

Re: When to Start Multi-Tabling...?
 

If your ROI is the same.

If you have a $436 buyin roll you are busted if you are OOTM 4 in a row in the $109s, but you would have to be OOTM 20 times in a row in the $22s. Just because you play 4 at a time doesn't mean you will have OOTM streaks 4 times as long.

Re: When to Start Multi-Tabling...?
 

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Playing two table seems to inprove my play on both as I'm inclined to be tighter preflop which must be good.

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I am exactly the same way. I have experimented with 1, 2, 3 & 4 tables and the best game for me is 2 at time. I get too bored with 1 (start to play too many hands) and 3 & 4 get too crazy for me around bubble time.

2 at a time is perfect for me. I can still surf the net, read this forum, pay my bills, etc...but also still get a read on players and not feel overwhelmed come bubble time.

Re: When to Start Multi-Tabling...?
 

[ QUOTE ]
If you have a $436 buyin roll you are busted if you are OOTM 4 in a row in the $109s, but you would have to be OOTM 20 times in a row in the $22s.

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I wasn't trying to suggest you could multi-table the $22s or single-table the $109s with the same bankroll. Clearly you would need a bankroll 5X larger to play the $109s.

I multi-tabled a few $5.50s yesterday just to get a feel for the mechanics of it. I guess over time I'll adapt, but I have to say I felt like I wasn't able to develop a feel for the other players and it sort of felt like playing as a complete newby again.

Thank you everyone for the comments and suggestions.