Table Selection: Soft $25 NLHE Ring Games On Party

Per the request of mike4066...

The key to table selection is having a good seat at a great table. Beware, there is such a thing as a bad seat at a great table.

I primarily look at games with 6-8 players and a large pot size. I do this so I'm less likely to join a game that's already been filled, I get a choice of a couple seats at the table and games that are a little short handed punish the fast 'n loose players less harshly.

Before I join a game, I look at stacks and limpers (hard to sqeeze blood from a stone.) If there are too many stacks under $12, it's not worth my time. In the first 2 hands I watch I want to see more than 2 limpers outside of the blinds or a fair raise with 2 callers. I want to play against players that take the adage "any hand can win" too far. I also look for betting that's a little wild. Generally, I only look at a hand or two before claiming a seat (I don't want to have my target fill up or loose the best seat!)

When taking a seat, idealy I want position on tall to moderate stacks and loose/aggressive players. I want to give position a short stack or a very tight player. No point in having position on someone that won't be playing many hands or doesn't have the chips to pay me off. Also having position on a somewhat manic player allows me to hide behind their bets and waste less money folding weak positions to them after betting/limping.

Generally, I post a newbie blind unless I'm 2 or fewer hands away from my big blind. I get right into the action, but am quick to leave if I don't like what I see. The first time around the table I'm looking at who's calling raises, who's weak, etc. I'll get a little more aggressive with pre-flop raises to feel out the table (well worth the $1.5 IMHO to raise a hand I might otherwise limp in with to get this information.)

Signs I'm at a the right table:
* Multiple players limping in
* Position on a loose and aggressive player
* Players calling raises after trying to limp with weak hands
* Players showing weak hands outside of the blinds (Ace-little offsuit, unsuited connectors, etc.)
* Outragous raises on top quality hands (so I know when to fold.)
* Players limping or only raising to $1 with top quality hands

It's probably time to find another table when:
* 1 or fewer players limp a couple times in a series of 8-10 hands. Getting down to just the blinds is a very bad sign.
* Maniac with position on me by 1 or 2 seats. Dealing with his (re)raises can be trying and the check + call counter to that is a pain. Also, I'm less likely to be the last to act when I'm in late position, but don't have the button.
* I can't pick out the weak players at the table
* Many of the weak players go all-in on a single hand suicide pact, then several leave.
* Multiple strong/tight players. Particularly filling seats left by weak players.
* No one is calling my pre-flop raises with weak hands. If I can regularly take the blinds with a $2 pre-flop raise, I'm probably at the wrong table.
* I have position on the short stacks.


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