Online Poker Table Selection – Finding and Playing in the Best Games
Posted by: Thomas Kearns / Category: PokerIts easy to sit down at your computer and play online poker. You can play any time of the day from virtually anywhere in the world. The quickest way to get into a game is to join the waiting list and start playing at whatever table becomes available first. If this is what you’re doing, you’re probably costing yourself a fair bit of money.
Its said that all men are created equal. This is a point that is debatable at best, but one thing is for sure. All poker players are not created equal and in turn all poker games are not created equal. Playing in only the very best games available can hugely increase a serious poker players profits at the end of the day. So how do we determine which games are “good”?
If you use a tracking program to track your online play, then table selection should be fairly easy for you. You simply find games with a lot of people seeing the flop, very few preflop raises, and general weak and passive play. These are the games that you can dominate with tight aggressive play. If you play at non peak hours or play very high limits, this might not be an option for you. There may not be any such games going where you’re ready to sit and play. This is a situation where your buddy list and the notes that you keep on other players is your best guide.
If you do find yourself in a situation where there isn’t a table just screaming at you to sit down and walk away with the money, its time to seek out specific players. Its often right to sit down with seven very good players and one horrible player. If you can find such a player it may be profitable to isolate that player every chance you get until they go bust and leave. That’s probably your que to leave as well. Be sure that you know exactly what kind of “bad player” your dealing with though. Are they showdown prone and will call you down with any flimsy hand. If so you can make a living by value betting bottom pair all day long. If you have a weak tight player who is easily run over raising all day long may be the best path. If you keep good notes while you play you should always have a good idea of who your dealing with and how to exploit their weaknesses.
If table selection is not a part of your online poker career it’s probably time to rethink your approach. Even if you’re a winning poker player, there is no reason to not make more. Keeping good notes, tracking yourself and your opponents, keeping a buddy list, and seeking out high quality games can make a huge impact on your bottom line.
The author is a successful limit cash game player. He plays poker and receives Rakeback at Minted Poker and Rakeback at Carbon Poker.
