jb

Finding which table to play at involves more than just a casual glance of the room. In this segment we will discuss tried and proven techniques for finding your table.

If you've just tuned in, you can find last week's discussion by reading to the bottom of this page and clicking on Past Tips , or by simply clicking the links below listed as topics for discussion.

What Table?

Shucks, We're almost ready to play poker. This decision is often coupled to the decision on which limit to play, because many card rooms will have a limited number of tables at each limit. Don't let your decision on which limit to play have to much influence on this decision. As I stated in the discussion of which limit to play don't pass up a good game to play at a particular level.

For the fun player this decision is easy. Head for the loudest happiest table in the room. When they are laughing they are having fun. You might take a quick look if the table has one or two real wild players betting and raising on every card, (maniacs) you might want to avoid the table. Playing with a maniac is like swimming in the deep end of the pool. You had better know how to swim. Online, take the time to visit the tables. See how chatty the players are. You will enjoy a table that chats much more than one where the chat box remains empty.

In the limit decision I discussed table selection, because a money player should never let limit dictate his choice of tables. Money players look for the same thing as the fun player, and avoid the quiet games. When people are having fun they call with marginal hands more often and put their money in the pot more freely. Look for the happy table. Online go for the games with the highest number of players seeing the flop. Keep a list of poor players at each site, where you play. Online you can check who the players are and go to a table where one of these poor players is playing. Go for the easy money.

Although it is a separate decision the buy-in is best discussed here. There are several formulas for determining the amount of the initial buy-in. Should I buy-in with 10 Big Bets or 20 Big Bets? 4 times the minimum buy-in might be a better way of thinking of it. If your stack drops below half that, re-buy. If you buy-in for the minimum and do not win a few hands quickly, your small stack will cost you money. In a limit game, you should never go all-in. The practice will cost you money in the long run.

Online a large stack is even more advantageous. (The other players have to respect a tall stack. Good players win and have tall stacks). Of course everyone sitting at the table initially know that you bought in big, but new players don't and it will cause the good ones to play you more cautiously, very desirable. We should probably buy-in for 50% more than the suggested buy-in.