Picking the Right Table in Online PokerHow to pick a table in online poker: Picking the right table is essential and the table stats tell you what you need to know.
Very few players ever take advantage of easy to analyze table stats before selecting a table…which is great because it gives you an easy advantage, and lets you pick a table likely to pay off, and one that fits your playing style.
The general playing table stats available are, number of hands per hour, average pot size and flop view percentage. Using these three very valuable bits of information gives you a great advantage, even before you lay your first bet.
So what do these stats mean as they apply to picking the right table in online poker?
Number of hands per hour
Just as it sounds, the number of hands per hour means the number of finished hands played in the last hour. Firstly, when analyzing the relevance of this information, be sure to factor in the number of players at the table, as a table of five will always play more hands than a table of ten.
But all things being equal, a high number of hands played per hour tells you that a lot of players are folding early, probably before the flop, and not too many see the river with raises and re raises along the way. A high number of hands per hour probably indicates a tight passive table, or even worse, a tight aggressive table. Much better is a table with a lower number of hands played hour, which means a lot of loose betting to the river, bigger pots, and easier winnings for anyone entering ready to play tight and statistical aggressive poker.
If you do play at a table with a high number of hands per hour, you have a far better probability of successfully stealing the blinds, but it also means that when players play deep into the boards…they've probably got the goods.
Average pot size
The average pot size is again, just what it sounds like; and is simply the total hourly pot divided by the number of hands per hour. Steer clear of tables with low average pot sizes as this tells you that not many players are investing into the turn or to the river, and that the game is too tight to really exploit. Nice big chunky pots tell of loose play deep into the game, and big pots ready for the taking for anyone playing a tight game.
Flop view percentage
The flop view percentage is a percentage of players who see the betting at least into the flop. Arguably the most important of the three stats, nothing tells you more about the playing styles of your opponents at the table, and a low flop percentage means a very tight and cautious table.
The one up side to a low flop view percentage is that it does mean that plays to steal the blinds are far more likely to be profitable.
Choose your table carefully
The reason we love poker is that it rewards skill over simple chance, and good players have a real opportunity to win consistent and significant money. The two ways to win in poker are to play correctly, and to sit at a table of opponents weaker than you.
Taker your time picking a table, and make full use of available and easy to understand table stats when selecting your table of loose playing fish…it's the easiest way to make more money!
Picking the right table in online poker is an absolute must. Picking the right online poker room is just as important. Be sure to check out StraightFlush.com
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Byron Badd, Payton O'Brien, Gambling911.com
Originally published September 7, 2007 11:26 am ET
