Posted Sat Nov 11, 2006 5:31 pm GMT by aaronw
I hear everyone talking about table selection and how it is very important and pivotal to their game. Does anyone here practice table selection? How do you go about it? What do you guys look for? This is something that I have never really looked at before. It is probably something I should be doing though. For those that do practice table selection, do you notice a a big difference in your win rates? What are some of the advantages? Disadvantages? Much thanks in advance.
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Posted Sat Nov 11, 2006 7:57 pm GMT by lwestatbus
I definitely practice table selection. I play fixed limit (currently $1/$2) and will try to pick a table where the average pot is at least $10. I won't go to a table under $8. My old site (pre ban) routinely had tables with average pots in the $15 range but my new site doesn't seem to have too many of these.
Higher average pots mean looser play and more opponents making mistakes that you can capitalize on.
After pot size I look at percent of players seeing flop. High pots and low flop percent usually means one or two wackos who raise a lot. High pots and high percent to flop means looser tables. (This is my absolute favorite as it makes it more profitable to see the flop with marginal cards for cheap and the payoff can be larger.)
My old site actually showed if you had a classification or note on players at the table while you were in the lobby making your selection.
An important related note is that the character of a table can change very quickly, sometimes with the swap out of just one player. If you have a goal for the character of the table you want be aware of when it changes and decide what you are going to do.
Oh, my old site had fixed characters at the table and I really disliked playing as the big-breasted blonde. The other players kept trying to feel me up. I also had a preference for which characters I wanted to play. On my new site you either provide your own avatar or you have nothing so it doesn't matter which seat is free.
Posted Sun Nov 12, 2006 2:25 am GMT by aaronw
Great. Thank-you very much for the detailed response. It is greatly appreciated.
Posted Sun Nov 12, 2006 2:40 am GMT by MrDarling
I used to look on % to the flop. High % usually mean loose players, and most often then not - loads of limpers. I love those. You can just sit down and start stealing pots away.
Now I also look at players stacks. I'm trying to shy away from players with 2X buyins just because I am not that comfortable playing against maniacs with loads of chips. I don't mind when they have as much as me though.
Posted Sun Nov 12, 2006 2:50 am GMT by aaronw
I forgot to mention this in my original post. The only thing I really do when selecting tables is try to avoid tables with players that have huge stacks (like 2x max buy in or more). I also try to avoid tables with short stacks (stacks of less than 25 - 50 bb or so). I find short stacks make me play tighter because I never know what they are going to do. They are liable to move in over any raise I make, which is not the ideal situation for me.
Posted Sun Nov 12, 2006 7:19 am GMT by kingetje
I look for the average pot size (the bigger the better imo)
and i always try to sit to the left of the big(gest) stacks,.. if thats not possible, i'll probably look for another table
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