Hello class! In Lesson 1, we touched on some important pre-poker ideas including game and seat selection. Now we’ll continue along those lines and take a look at table selection.

Many people overlook table selection, but in many ways it’s one of the most important factors to consider. For example, if you’re sitting at a table that’s too tight, too loose, or too aggressive, it’s not likely you will make a profit, regardless of your relative skill level.

Playing online allows you a great amount of flexibility in choosing your tables. A lot of online poker rooms list the percentage of players who are seeing the flop. A higher percentage means a looser game. All online poker rooms also list the average pot size. You do not necessarily want to play at the table with the highest average pot size, since this may indicate a lot of raises going into the pot. For loose-passive games, choose a table with a relatively high flop percentage and a reasonably average pot size. Remember that your participation will help raise the pot.

While different players prefer different styles of play, the general consensus is that the ideal table is the loose-passive table where hopefully you will make most of your profit from other players’ mistakes. In general, the more players seeing the flop, the better.

Another factor to consider is the number of players at the table. Most online tables are ten-handed, which means you’ll have to play relatively tight. More players means more competition. At a six-handed table, you can play considerably looser than you can at a ten-handed table. Some players prefer short-handed tables because you get to see the flop more often, and thus have more chances at winning the pot.

It will take some experience to learn what type of table is best for you, but if you find yourself at a table where you’re struggling to make a profit, don’t hesitate to leave and join another group!