Is multi-tabling necessary for a decent win rate?

[flyingtriangle]

So I'm still fairly new to online poker - been playing about 2 months now - but I think my game is progressing pretty well. I've also been playing in a weekly live game for a couple of years now, so I wasn't a complete noob when I got started. And while I find I can be fairly successful at the low and micro limits in general, there are still times that I find myself not applying my full concentration to the game, with disastrous results usually following. As a result of this, I feel that my level of play drops significantly when I play more than one table at a time.

I know many regular players like to play 4 or more tables at once, and I've heard some people say that multi-tabling is necessary to get decent hourly win rate. Obviously, for a person such as myself who is still learning the ropes of online poker, it's better to stick with just one table at a time. But are there any seasoned players who still prefer to play only one, or maybe two tables at a time? Are there any who post win rates comparable to those of the regulars who play 8 to 12 tables at a time? Or there largely a consensus that multi-tabling is the only way to go if you want to actually generate some income?

[Parasurama]

In hourly earnings, you won't find many examples of players who win more playing fewer tables. In terms of money won/number of hands played, however, the consensus is that as long as playing fewer tables doesn't have negative effects on your game, such as looser preflop play, your bb/100 should be higher than if you are playing more tables due to increased concentration and faster development of reads.

I recommend you do whatever you're comfortable with. If learning how to play well is a more important goal than winning money for you, play fewer tables.

[Robb]

Don't fall into a trap (like I did) of trying to play some ridiculous number of tables. Play what you're comfortable with, the number of tables where you can play your best game every hand. As you learn and move, you'll add a table or two. But don't rush it.

[Ragnar4]

there is an upside and a downside to Multi-tabling.

The upside is that if you're a consistent winner, say 5bb/100 per table, the more tables you earn, the better money you earn. 5 tables open is 25bb/100

the upside is that it allows you to be more patient, you don't get bored waiting for hands, and clicking the fold button.

It improves your quick thinking. When you have 3 tables going, you have to learn how to count your outs quickly, and make better decisions

It improves your memory. You have to think back and concentrate to remember just how you got to this point in the hand.. Which is important

The Downsides?

Playing multiple tables you may give up a few BB/100 because you're not taking the time to mull through.

If you have any noticeable leaks, multitabling just magnifies it. Causing you to lose faster.

Smart players will attack you more liberally, to try to take advantage of the fact that you can't focus on their tendencies.

At the smaller stakes, if you can beat up on a game, by all means multi-table. But there comes a point where you're playing for such large stakes, that multi-tabling is probably a poor choice beyond 2 or 3 more tables than normal.

That last part about Multi-tabling at nosebleeds is just speculation. Maybe you can 25 table 2knl and be a winner...

[oskar]

Below 25NL I would suggest you just play 1-2 tables. There is so much going on that you're missing if you can't observe the hands you're not in...

I can't imagine the $/100 below 100NL is of any significance to anyone uless you're in rhuanda and your family is all out of rice.
Play what's best for your development as a player, not your winrate.

If you play short handed you can get way more hands with less tables/players also, so that's the better way to get more hands in imo.

I used to like 9 table NL25 full ring and I had a shitty winrate
when I dropped down to 6 I had a much better winrate

[Robb]

I used to like 9 table NL25 full ring and I had a shitty winrate
when I dropped down to 6 I had a much better winrate

^^^^this

I never play more than 5 6max tables these days, and often drop one or two depending upon game conditions and my own mental state. I like having plenty of time between hands to review the action, type notes, etc. I think it helps me learn the game.

[AFchung]

playing more tables = lower win rate but higher volume

[Warpe]

Play 2 tables FR to work on your ABC game. You'll have plenty of time to make decisions and it'll help you avoid getting fancy play syndrome.

[Robb]

The way to maximize long term winnings is to get really good, not play mindless hands. Guys on this site make >100k's per year. Get that good, and you'll win plenty of monies. Play the number of tables that maximizes your learning potential on each hand.

If you don't have time to take good notes on a dozen hands per hour (or more!)...

If you're timing out accidentally even once per session...

If you're not adjusting to position/villains/stack size on every street...

If you know you could learn more each session if you had more time to think instead of clicking away furiously...

...you've got too many tables open.