The Matrix is Full Tilt's latest addition to its Sit N Go Lobby. They put the same 9 or 6 players together in 4 SNGs simultaneously, giving one-fifth of the money to each game's result and another fifth to the over all winner based on an elaborate scoring system. Quite simply, these games have two functions: To maximise Full Tilt's profit by filling four games as fast as it would mormally take to fill one and to maximise profits by training the average poker player to get comfortable multi-tabling thereby cultivating him/her into a player that is capable of spending more in their poker-room. It's a smart idea and it got me thinking about an online poker player's edge.
Speed of thought is a crucial element for the serious online poker-pro. Being comfortable playing more games at once means more profit. The more you play, the more you can make the argument that the player loses some equity as they are unable to monitor the patterns of play and players on every table but if that lost equity is small, then it is more than compensated by the additional volume. I have spoken to many online players recently whose games I respect and I was shocked to discover that some of them (Jacaranda, Chipless Wonder, Galactus X and Michael Craig) only play one or two games at a time. Myself and Michelle both play 8-10 at once (crammed onto our little 11 inch mac screens) while also watching TV, making coffee and maintaining 5 skype conversations. My tolerance gets stretched beyond 10 but my friends Rounder63 and ChicagoAPA have no problems playing 16 at once. (I am fairly confident they both have adult ADD!) Bottom line - Time is money! Online, the ability to make quick poker decisions gives you an edge over the competition. If you can generate a 30% ROI playing 8 tables, you are making three times as much money than my colleague who can generate 40% playing 2.
The Gift of multi-tabling is that far from hindering your game or stressing you out, it actually helps your game. You will find yourself adjusting easily to the pace of 4 games on screen and before long, you will be ready for 6 and then 8. This will cause a Chain Reaction. By playing a greater volume of hands, you will gain more experience faster and thus, speed up your development as a player. Not only that, but I would also maintain that playing more can improve your game by keeping it honest. You are less likely play marginal hands out of boredom and will probably play a tighter starting hand selection.
The Devil's Advocate might take the position that you will lose to much equity by being rushed into overly aggressive decisions. Surely, Something's Gotta Give? Well I couldn't disagree more. In my opinion, you are also less likely to feel precious about the game into which you have solely invested two hours of your life. In my experience, players play too tight late on in tournaments, they don't play Hardball, opting for the nitty play intstead of the right one because they know they will get frustrated with themselves if they make an aggressive play that fails. When you are multi-tabling, one game is just part of the bigger system of games. You are a Plate-spinner buzzing around trying to prevent your plates from falling. And If one does happen to fall, then you have no time to care about it because there is still a room full of spinning plates to which you must attend. In other words, the individual game's importance is reduced and that is a good thing. Why? Because when you take the inevitable bad beat, it stops you from making Much Ado About Nothing.
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