[mipevi]

How do you decide who changes tables? Let's say we have three tables (A, B, C) and six players each. Now two players bust from table A, so one player from either table B or C should move there, but who?

[dad604]

I would put the corresponding position as the empty seat. But from the numbers you listed above, why not just have 2 tables.

[luckychick]

Originally Posted by dad604

I would put the corresponding position as the empty seat. But from the numbers you listed above, why not just have 2 tables.

Yeah, with those numbers it's time for two tables; I would have the table with four draw cards for seats at the other two (e.g., As and 2s for two particular seats at one table, Ah and 2h for the two seats at other table).

If the numbers were a bit different (say, 8,8 and 6) then I would look to the chip stacks; try and make sure the total number of chips/table is even. If that is close too, then if I know that a particular table will be the final table, I'll keep the players there and move to the other table. Or a coin flip will work too.

[OutOfCrown]

I make a point of all such decisions being randomized, I'd never do the "try to balance the chip stacks" method. I only have 2 tables, so I don't have the specific dilemma you posed. But if I had 8, 8, and 6 and needed to get it to 8, 7, 7 I'd flip a coin (or draw seat cards, or something random) to pick which table to move the guy from.

Once having done that, I'd use the "from the big blind to the worst position" TDA rule.

In the long run, random evens out for everyone. In the short run, "that's poker".

[Double Eagle]

I have never quit understood the TDA rule which states:

In flop games when balancing tables, players will be moved from the big blind to the worst position (which is never the small blind).

Can anyone clarify this for me?

[jmc]

Originally Posted by Double Eagle

I have never quit understood the TDA rule which states:

In flop games when balancing tables, players will be moved from the big blind to the worst position (which is never the small blind).

Can anyone clarify this for me?

You move the player who will be the big blind to the new table. He will sit in the BB spot if available. If not, then UTG. If UTG is not available, UTG+1, else, UTG+2,.... etc

[jojobinks]

Originally Posted by Double Eagle

I have never quit understood the TDA rule which states:

In flop games when balancing tables, players will be moved from the big blind to the worst position (which is never the small blind).

Can anyone clarify this for me?

guessing: if a table breaks and i'd be in teh big blind next hand, i can't take the bb next hand at the new table (b/c someone else would then miss his blind). so i should go to the worst position available (utg, then utg+1, et cetera).

[OutOfCrown]

A table breaking down completely is (or should be) handled by random seat draw. Yes, this means sometimes you will be the big blind twice in a row. Sometimes you will go from UTG at your old table to behind the button at your new table. That's poker.

When moving just one player to balance tables, you take the guy who is the BB in the hand about to be dealt ("sir, take back your blind and come with me"). BTW, sometimes this means that UTG gets screwed (if you were UTG on a short stack and thought you had one more hand before being nearly all-in on your blind, you just got hosed. That's poker.)

The guy you took from the BB goes to the BB at the new table, if the BB seat is open, or else as someone already posted you put him at UTG, UTG+1, etc. whichever open seat is closest to the BB (but you don't "create" an opening by inserting him in between two players if there hadn't previously been a player in that spot).

This is how it's done at all WPT and WSOP events.

[Double Eagle]

Originally Posted by jmc

You move the player who will be the big blind to the new table. He will sit in the BB spot if available. If not, then UTG. If UTG is not available, UTG+1, else, UTG+2,.... etc

Ahh... The key phrase, will be.

Thanks! Makes sense now.

[mipevi]

Thanks, you've been a big help!