I've just fired $20 into stars and the grind has begun (up to $27 after three days!). But before I even see a hand, I already have one important decision to make... and it's not particularly simple! When choosing a table, and a seat, there seem to be more factors to take in than when I'm against a shove!

So what am I looking for? Normally, I just find a table of 8 with a larger average pot size and take a seat, moving if I find a maniac has position on me, but what more can I do to gain an edge? I admit Im not putting a great deal of effot in up to this point when finding a table (this thread is my attempt to change that fact!), I'm just itching to get some hands played, but I'm definitely finding that sometimes I'm at a bad seat at a good table, I might have some useful notes about someone who has pos on me or the table is full of loose-passive fish with one maniac to my left. Is it in my interests to stick around and hope for a better seat in half an hour or so? Or maybe the maniac will bust out soon, hopefully to my beautifully played top set.

What about shorts? We want them to have pos on us, yes? What about when they bust out and someone new sits down in position against us? Maybe we were having a great time until the tight passive donk that was sat to our left finally got bored and an aggro deep stack took his seat. What now? Move? But we were dominant!

Is it the case that a great table can become a terrible table with one new player?

Recognising the time to leave is another important aspect of table selection, something that is probably a massive leak in mine and many other 2nl players' games. The temptation to stick around and try and win back that $2 you lost to the donk with the gutshot can be as overwhelming as the desire to hurt him, is this all the more reason to leave? I often see players leave a table after a bad beat, is this tilt control?

Clearly, there's more to poker than simply two cards, I think when seeking to improve, one must start with the very first decision you will face. If every table I am sat at is suited to my preferences, then it can only help me win more money. I just need help fine-tuning those preferences!