Table and Seat selection
Spending a little time to select the best tables before you sit to play can dramatically increase your profits. There are two aspects to this, firstly using the statistics in the lobby of your online poker site and secondly selecting the best table for your own playing style. A related but equally important concept is to select the right seat at the table. This is judged in relation to the observed tendencies of the other players in the 2 places either side of any vacant seat – again this will largely depend on your own style of play and how this interacts with the opponents sat around you.
Most online poker rooms display 2 key statistics for each table in their lobby. These are the number of players to each flop (usually displayed as a percentage) and the average size of the pot.
While these statistics give you an impression of how loose and how aggressive a table is, it is actually the interaction between them that is the key factor. The examples below will demonstrate:
• High % of players to each flop, small average pot size: This table is loose and passive, many players limping into the pot then giving up quickly if they miss the flop.
• High % of players to each flop, large average pot size: This table could involve many players staying in the pot to showdown with a variety of holdings, chasing draws and have many raises and re-raises after the flop.
• Low % of players to each flop, small average pot size: Tight and passive players are probably found here with players waiting for premium hands before committing chips.
• Low % of players to each flop, large average pot size: Tight and aggressive players who wait for strong hands to enter a pot then play aggressively – raising and re-raising with those hands.
Which table you choose will largely depend on your own playing style. If you are tight and aggressive then a looser table may be suitable. If you enjoy playing speculative holdings in an attempt to win a big pot when you hit the flop hard then an aggressive table may bring you the best profits.
Selecting the right seat at the table involves asking the question ‘Will I be able to play my preferred style with these opponent's to by left and right?'
For example if the player who would act immediately after you is a maniac – raising and re-raising with a large proportion of hands – then the hands that you play will be affected. If your style is tight and aggressive this may be a good opponent to have on your left, as you can wait for the rest of the table to call his re-raise before raising again yourself with your strong holding. Having this same maniac to your right will allow you to isolate with less strong holdings – making it 2 bets to the field behind you. If your style is loose and aggressive this may be the ideal seat.
Players seated to your left (acting after you) who are tight will be an advantage for many people. This makes your decision on whether to enter a pot easier – you know that there is little chance of a re-raise. Raising with tight players behind you will often give you position in the hand, and should you be re-raised by one of these types you can be pretty sure that you are up against a strong holding and react appropriately.
To summarize, selecting the right table and the right seat can have a big effect on the profitability of your poker play. The critical factor in this selection is your own style of play. Remember to review your tables regularly to ensure that changes in players have not made the table different to your preferred style. Learn more about poker in our online poker school. |
