[Nanook]

I didn't want to threadjack another thread where I saw TheMightyJim make a comment on where he says maybe 80% of his profits online come from finding fish that he can sit down beside and make money off them so I am starting a new thread and hopefully he and others can lend some insight to this question.

How do you choose what table to play at and where to sit etc. I think that it should be obvious, but I do have PT and PA Hud and this surely is a requirement.

Nanook

[hachkc]

Start with % of players to see flop then average pot size and finally # of hands per hour. Most sites have this information available when you go to choose a table.

Once you get to the table, PA (PokerAce w/ PT) will show you what stats you have on those players; this can take awhile to build up though if you haven't or can't do any datamining on the site. You'll probably have to buyin for at least 1 hand before this shows up though.

I also like to show BB/100 per player and average per table with PA.

[noelsarchs]

I only play micro limits right now....but I look for small pot sizes first so I can stay in the hand longer. Everytime I play a table with a larger per hand pot size, it's a raise, re raise fest from the start.

[Nanook]

Originally Posted by hachkc

Start with % of players to see flop then average pot size and finally # of hands per hour. Most sites have this information available when you go to choose a table.

This is the obvious answer, but what do you look for? Do you look for a table with 20% of the table seeing the flop and an average pot size of $3 or an average of 40% of the players seeing the pot and $5 average pot or 40% of the players seeing the pot and an average pot of $10.

I guess this is the sort of analysis I was looking for and why.

Nanook

[hachkc]

Originally Posted by Nanook

This is the obvious answer, but what do you look for? Do you look for a table with 20% of the table seeing the flop and an average pot size of $3 or an average of 40% of the players seeing the pot and $5 average pot or 40% of the players seeing the pot and an average pot of $10.

I guess this is the sort of analysis I was looking for and why.

Nanook

Usually you want more players seeing the flop than less as that would indicate a looser table which is typically more profitable. After that, pot size because of profitability. You need to determine what the ideal border line here is though. With 50% seeing the flop but only a $3 average pot size, is probably not good. While 35% seeing the flop and $15 average pot size is probably better. Be forwarned that these are only the basic guidelines on where to start. Once you get to the table, you will have a better read on folks. Just play typical new table poker and play rock tight for the first few rounds to watch and collect info on folks.

[SpeakEasy]

Useful info in order of preference:
1. % players seeing the flop -- you want a high number.
What's a high number? Look at all the tables available in your price range, and sit at the one with the highest %.
Why? More money being thrown around. More LAG players to pick off. More opportunity to see flops -- if you play moderately loose PF, you'll fit in and won't appear to be the maniac at the table.

2. Pot size -- again, bigger pots are better. More $$ to be made, not a table full of nits.

3. Where to sit -- if you have a choice (more than one seat open), downwind (to the left) of the LAG players or the biggest stacks. Ofteon you don't know who the LAGs are when you sit, so take notes for future sessions. Generally, chips travel clockwise around the table from seat to seat -- its not always the case, but generally so.

[smoore]

As you can garner from the posts already, this is completely a matter of style.

noelsarches likes tight-passive games where he can play in a style comfortable for him. SpeakEasy likes big pots and likes to sit downwind of the LAGs (he's a very good player and this is textbook stuff).

Personally, I don't have my zone down for NLHE yet but in 6max LHE I'm just looking for HUGE pots with people willing to mix it up with me. I don't care if they are playing tight, I just want the BIG pots. My style is completely aggro, routinely 3betting things like KQo when I'm on the button. Even LAGs don't know how to handle me. I'll take them anywhere at the table, if they have position I just become a check-raising monkey. One thing I do try for is to get the very tight players in the two seats behind me. I don't mind getting 3bet from these guys, it tells me I'm definitely running uphill for the hand and defines my position well. Getting 3bet from LAGs means I have to cap it lots of times and then I've gotta actually play postflop. If I have two rocks behind me that means I get the button three times per orbit most of the time. mmmmmmmBOP!

Basically, I don't mind LAG play behind me in LHE, I'll just check-raise the dummy. I find it far easier to play OOP against a LAG than a TAG or TP player.

edit: oh yeah... when you find tables with big pots and a low plrs/flop % you have found a goldmine of people that simply cannot play postflop very well. That is my ideal environment. I can play a lot of hands and outplay the rocks postflop. I love people who can't lay down aces.

[Poboy]

In addition to above, I open a couple of tables and watch the players next to the empty seat I'll be taking for a few minutes.

[plagueboy]

I pick the tables with the biggest pot average and the biggest percentage seeing the flop.

[yeltzen]

My first suggestion would be to play a game that isn't Hold'em. I don't know if you're playing limit or NL, but it's very hard to find limit Hold'em tables with many people taking the flop. I played in a 10-handed $1/2 game the other day and it was folded to the big blind 5 straight hands. Short-handed limit games, on the other hand, are full of maniacs. However, your edge isn't as good in those games because they're actually playing more right there than they would be in a ring game.

You want a high % flop number, but remember that these numbers include the blinds who only pay half a bet or already have the bet in there. You want players cold-calling from middle position. That's what PT will help you find.

The average pot size is more important in NL than limit I think. Limit pots tend to be the same size all the time (5 or 6 big bets). The % flop will usually determine this number anyways.

If you have time to sit around and watch the game before deciding, look for people who overvalue weak hands like middle or top pair.