The vast majority of poker professionals play online now, but they aren’t running one table at a time. One of the main ways to maximize profit in online poker is multi-tabling, meaning playing more than one table at once. We’ll explain what makes multi-tabling so important for poker players.
What is Multi-Tabling in Poker?
What is multi-tabling? The term means having multiple poker tables open at the same time. It’s used for online poker, not live games. Sprinting back and forth between multiple tables usually isn’t allowed in casinos. There are exceptions, like specific live tournament series, but it’s rare.
Most poker players limit themselves to playing on two to four tables at a time, but some pros play between 8 and 24 tables. This is typical for tournament players, who play carefully in the early stages of MTTs, folding a lot of hands. For cash game fans, especially full-ring players, multi-tabling can make regular games feel like fast-fold poker.
Why Play So Many Tables?
Why are players doing this? The answer’s simple: Multitabling increases a player's hourly win rate (assuming their win rate is positive). In other words, the more hands and tournaments you play, the more profit you can get over the long haul. If a player is winning in one game, why not play more tables at the same stake? It’s not exactly a Mensa-level strategy, but it’s effective.
For example, you play a cash game profitably, showing a profit of $1000 per month. What if you play four times as many hands in the same amount of time? It’s easy to see that your profits could also increase four times.
You might have already noticed the problem. The more tables you play, the worse your game might become. This is especially true for beginners, whose gameplay might degrade if they have to split their attention.
How to Adjust Your Computer and Workstation
Experienced players use a few life hacks and tools to improve multi-tabling. Make sure your workspace is comfortable to start with. A desk at the correct height and a supportive chair will make a major difference after hours of poker.
Also, the bigger the monitor, the better. A large display helps avoid shrinking or tiling the tables too much. You can also use several monitors at once to get the desired display size.
Hotkeys allow you to assign important actions to individual buttons on the keyboard. In addition, in the poker room settings, you can configure many bet sizes, so as not to type them manually. This is a substantial time saver.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Multi-Tabling
Increasing profit is the main goal, but there are several other advantages of multi-tabling:
- Fewer “creative” plays: When you play a lot of tables, you will not be able to get tricky and inventive just because you are bored. Instead, you’ll play fundamentally sound poker across all tables (most of the time).
- The hands accumulate faster: Because of this, the ranges and EVs are smoothed out.
- Rakeback is earned faster: Cashback programs and other bonuses are won back as you play. Multi-tabling speeds that up significantly.
Of course, there are also disadvantages to adding more tables. Over time, experience should make this less and less of an issue.
- Less time to think about complex hands: At all tables, you have time banks, but there are times when you don’t have the precious time you need – especially if you need to make several decisions at the same time;
- Missclicks or random clicks: No surprises here. The attention’s scattered and the windows may be quite small. All this inevitably leads to occasional errors.
- Mental and physical fatigue: Playing many tables is more difficult than playing one or two. It requires a lot of concentration every minute, so it's worth taking breaks and resting. Without rest and proper hydration, you may burn out.
- A feeling of boredom: Multi-tabling can lead to simplifying your strategy. At the micro stakes, this is unlikely to hurt your bankroll, but experienced regulars will quickly notice your auto-pilot play style and begin to exploit it.
Arrange Tables Automatically with Software
For convenience, special programs exist to arrange your tables on the screen. You can purchase them in the GipsyTeam Shop.
StackAndTile will help you arrange tables in a desired order and notify you when it's time to make a decision. The software supports all poker rooms. The license is issued for two computers and you can evaluate the program for free for 15 days. The price of the full version depends on the length of the subscription and the limits you play.
Another program is called UPTO (Universal Poker Table Organizer). On top of standard features, you can sort the windows by room and blind levels, which helps prioritize your attention. A complete list of UPTO features and prices is in our store, along with other tools.
What Are the Best Ways to Learn Poker?
Before you start multi-tabling, we advise you to brush up on your theory and gain confidence in your strategy. There are several ways to learn poker. Of course, you’ve probably absorbed the basics and already know the rules of poker by now.
One option is to find a coach who will analyze your game and help you correct your mistakes. This approach is personalized but more expensive. You can also apply to a poker school, where players are not only trained – but also given money to play. We can link you with a proven coach or school, so check with our team if these training methods interest you.
You can also study on your own using special software. For example, in the Flopzilla program, learn how to think in ranges and make the right decisions. There’s a free trial for this program in the GipsyTeam Shop and licenses are very affordable.
All of this poker theory is only meaningful with practice. We advise beginners to play in freerolls – free tournaments with real prize money. Some of the most profitable freerolls are on partypoker (up to $200 guarantees), but you’ll find them running on most sites.
We keep a full schedule of upcoming freerolls on our website. Check it out to see which events are running today and how big their prize pools are.
Looking for Your Next Poker Room?
The best poker rooms in the world have been reviewed and tested by GipsyTeam. Many of them are very loyal to newcomers and offer lucrative bonuses.
We’re also a source of poker educational material. This extends to all areas of strategy, but we also publish guides on things like setting up online home games with friends or the poker blogs you should be reading.
If you have questions about registering in poker rooms, participating in freerolls, or any other poker topic, please contact the GipsyTeam support service, which is open 24 hours a day. Our specialists respond within a few minutes online or on Telegram. All consultations are free and we’re happy to help out!
- Increased rakeback and personal bonuses
- Help with deposits and cashouts
- Access to mobile applications
- Solving problems with accounts
- Technical support
- Questions about the site and forum
