How many tables for a newbie?

I've just started playing online (been at it about a week, and I'm down four buys -- but I definitely feel like I'm getting better)...and I'm curious -- how many tables would you suggest I play?

I suppose it's a matter of whatever you're comfortable with -- however, considering I'm not exactly sure "what" information I'm looking to gain from each of my opponents, I guess it's hard for me to really determine what comfortable IS.

I do know, however, that I've been losing a little, so I'm considering stepping back from the three tables I started with...

Best,
EW

one.

your aim when you start playing is to master every facet of the game, work on reads etc. If you are losing buy-ins playing one table, at this stage of your development, multi-tabling is likely to send you broke.

Believe it or not, there are a lot of people who post here who don't multi-table.

Unless you just can't be patient enough at 1. In that case, play 2. 1 table can be very boring ... if you don'tlike that, drop down a stake and play 2. Myself, I could never handle 1 table unless it was 6-max.

PLay 1 table until you start making a consistent profit. I dont mean you have to have recovered your losses or anythingbut just be confident that you can beat the game. Then you can begin adding tables as you want. You will be uncomfortable with it at first but you should get used to it within a day or 2.
I only play 2 tables (and sometimes only 1) so dont worry too much about multitabling yet.

I'd definitely stick with just one, to work on your reads, and knowing how to play all hands well from all positions. The action will be too fast for you to handle multi tabling, and in the long run you will suffer from it.

I only single table $3/6NL because most of my play depends on reading people. Giving that up puts me in a position to not make as much. Sure, it can be a bit boring, but I'd rather be bored while making money than excited and losing money!

just start with one, and go with what works best for you.

one!

If you don't have a solid plan for how what you're doing then don't try to do it on more than one table.

You hear alot about multi-tabling, from me for sure. But that's with a concrete plan and some training. Right now, I can tell from your post, that everything is still fresh out of the packing paper new. You're probably surprised by what cards people turn over and confused by why people are betting what they are betting etc.

Here's the secret way to tell when you can add tables. Check it out.. I just made this up so it must be true. WHEN 98% OF THE TIME YOU ARE NOT SURPRISED BY WHAT HAPPENS ON ONE TABLE, THEN YOU CAN ADD ANOTHER. Make sense? If you're still surprised that someone turns over whatever and someone bets whatever with whatever cards, etc. Then there's no way you can handle 2 tables. Right now you can't handle one. Start reading and spend alot of time THINKING. That's where you get good, thinking and observing.

Without reading anyone else's replies to this thread (but already knowing what they will tell you).....ONE. Move up from there when you feel ready, when you're beating the game on a regular basis.

At some point you may get bored with one and try two. Two tables will seem CRAZY sometimes, I know that it did for me when I first started out. Slowly, but surely I was able to move up to 4, 6, and ultimately 8 tables. It takes practice to be able to move up to those levels...

Y'all -

Thanks for all the help. Much like I suspected, it was pretty clear that I should cut to A table. Starting a session now, and with only one. Thanks!!

Best,
EW