In the world of poker, there’s a lot of good versus evil stories to be had, whether they’re focused on players, casinos, sites, streaks of good or bad luck, or even the overall careers of two rival pros. However, the seemingly simple task of finding a good table to build up a big pile of chips can be a rather daunting one when you consider the many factors at play. Luckily for you, the staff at PokerSeeker are the masters of their own table destiny, so lend us your ears as you dip into the rift between good and bad poker tables.
Beyond good and bad
First off, discard any previous notions of what a good or bad poker table is like, as many people develop their own theories, when telling the difference is, in fact, simply a case of not relying on anything but the factual information in front of you, from the type of game, to the number of players. Don’t worry too much about the various crackpots on poker forums insisting there’s a hidden method to finding the perfect table, but use your common sense.
Get organised
There are, of course, thousands of poker tables going at any one time on any one site, and at least a hundred in the very specific category you’re looking in (which you should be – if not, check out our guide on finding the perfect poker game for you). The easiest way to sift through these quickly is to use the organising tabs at the top of the columns, to display the list of tables by buy-in, number of players, and other small details that let you narrow things down.
Start small
If you’re a new player, even if you’re playing with play money, never, ever jump straight into a high-stakes game, because you’ll simply leave a short time later with no chips and a rather sad face. Start small, and build your confidence, as a good table for a beginner means something easy, straight-forward, and low risk.
Pay attention to your rivals
Pay attention to the people you’re playing with. If it’s clear you’re on a table with a monster (someone who bets aggressively in the hope of intimidating other players into flopping), call their bluff repeatedly, taunt them, lure them into an all-in bet and get rid of them as fast as possible. If you’re on a table with seven monsters, just walk. There are no disadvantages to leaving sit-and-go tables, so don’t feel ashamed of walking away at any point.
Lastly, always pay attention to what sort of game is being played by the various people around you, and if you’re in the sort of environment where you can flourish. For veterans, that means a fast, silent game with little to no chat and a lot of focus. For beginners, don’t subject yourself to the seemingly-evil play-styles of a table of high-stakes sharks, but start small with chatty people who offer tips and love just hanging out and enjoying the game. There’s good, and then there’s evil, so stick your halo on and go look for other people floating about on wings and clouds.