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.

 


Comments

jacaranda

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 01:26:46

Although I agree with your points in theory, I think there's another factor in the equation to consider. That is, every poker player should always do what they are comfortable with for their own game. The cool thing about poker is you can be a winning player with a completely different formula than other winning players.

I do think it's good to push your boundaries, get out of your comfort zone and change it up from time to time, but in the end you have to figure out what works for you... and if multi-tabling doesn't work then it's not necessarily wrong.

For myself, I have started to experiment with multi-tabling. I have found some pros and cons but unfortunately I have to say I'm on one of my worst downswings ever. HOWEVER... I have to mention that I honestly believe it is a result of a string of really bad luck as opposed to any shift in strategy due to multi-tabling. So I'm keeping my mind open and willing to continue the experiment.

At the same time, when the chips are down and things are looking grim, I always return to my very solid, tight/aggressive SNG tournaments... one at a time. And this has always served me as a way to get myself back out of a funk.

 

Dr Fill Good

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 05:39:03

Nice one, I definitely agree on most points here. Anytime I feel like putting in a serious money making session 8 or 9 games is the minimum. Especially at the lower end buy ins (26 dollars) the standard of play is low enough that just going into auto pilot and playing 'abc' poker will be very profitable over time.

A mistake I have made is sprinkling in some bigger buy in MTT's as well as the lower buy in tourney's. Now I would be playing a pretty high standard of play in all of the tournaments till BAM, 15 before the money in the large MTT, my trips get taken out by runner runner flush. Now everything goes to hell, because of how much more value I place in the MTT I start donking off my money in all 8 other tournaments I had going. Just trying to get the hell away from poker. Basically using your example of spinning plates I have all of my regular plates spinning away and then I throw in a few comically over sized plates. Having one of these larger plates fall sends a shockwave through the other's and ends up shattering the smaller ones.

Now the point of this (other then it being a very interesting tale) is just a cautionary note to all. Something to look out for in the exciting world of multi tabling poker.

 

Tully

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 12:49:10

8-10 games on an 11 inch mac screen! Surely that has to be bad for your eyes/back...

 

LAPPIN

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:56:49

A bigger screen would be better... now you know what to buy me for Xmas!

 



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