Free Poker Bankroll| Multi-Table Strategy
Once you understand the basic concepts behind a solid poker game you may want to consider upping the ante and playing more than one table. There are several benefits to this including:- You can double, triple, or quadruple the number of hands you see per hour
- You can spread your bankroll across more tables and mitigate your risk by buying in for less yet still play for the same amount of money
- Clear bonus offers faster by accumulating points needed much faster
- You don't bore as easily due to a slow table
There are many other intangible factors but let's focus on just these for now.
When you are playing on just one table (6 handed) you will see an average of about 45 hands an hour. While this is much more than you'd see playing live, it's easy to get bored and that often leads to going broke. If you find yourself pushing around chips with less than optimal starting hands and/or missed flops, then multi-tabling may be a great alternative for you. By opening up another table or two, you will see many more hands and if you use the "spread strategy" with your bankroll you will see pretty quick returns on your time investment.
The "Spread Strategy"
Let's say you normally play 2/4 No Limit and buy in for $200 each time. Why don't you try buying into a 1/2 No Limit game and play TWO tables with a $100 buy in? You accomplish several things by doing this. One, you're spreading your bankroll across two tables at slightly lower limits. Two, you're most likely playing against weaker opponents than at the 2/4 tables, making it more likely to double up quicker. Three, you're seeing twice the number of hands you'd see at just one table.
When I'm playing two or more tables, I really tighten up my starting hand range. I can be patient because I'm seeing many more hands per hour now and will see premium starting hands more often as well. With my now weaker opponents at these lower limits I can pounce on them when they play weaker hands.
I recommend playing at 6 handed tables because you will not only see more hands per hour but the others at the table are more than likely playing looser starting hands because of the 6 handed nature of the table. While most books will encourage you to loosen your starting hand requirements at a 6 handed table, I do just the opposite when playing multi tables. It allows me to sill see plenty of action but by waiting for premium hands to start with, I will double through much more often and typically earn more than if i were playing a 2/4 NL game on just one table.
You can do the easy math this way: Simply divide the number of tables you want to play into your normal buy in for one table. Do the same for limits. If you normally play 2/4 NL, drop down to 1/2 for two tables, .50/1.00 for 3 tables, and so on.
Clearing deposit bonuses via multi tabling
Most sites will offer a deposit or reload bonus every month. They will require you to play a certain number of raked hands to clear that bonus. By playing more than one table, you will greatly accelerate this process. If it takes 500 hands to clear a bonus you will have to play approximately 10 hours at a 6 handed 2/4 table. You could clear the same bonus in about 2-3 hours if you play four .50/1.00 tables with the same bankroll.
You're also mitigating your risk by spreading your bankroll across multiple tables. Would you rather lose your entire $200 buy in from a bad beat playing one table or lose $50 from a bad beat at one of four tables?
The bottom line
The bottom line is that you're looking to build your poker bankroll, not lose it in one shot. Don't be tempted to buy in over your head and if you find that playing more than one table is too much and you can't keep up, try playing turbo tables first. The quick pace will prepare you for when you do feel ready to play more than one table.
In closing, I highly recommend working on your game to the point where you can multi table. It will be far more enjoyable and if you play the cards right, far more profitable in the long term.
