Table selection in poker: how to choose the right game
Table selection means choosing games where your opponents make more mistakes than you. It’s one of the easiest ways to improve your results: even a good player loses money at a table full of better players. Look for loose, passive tables and sit to the left of aggressive players.
Signs of a good table (online)
Section titled “Signs of a good table (online)”| Lobby stat | Good sign |
|---|---|
| Average pot | Larger than other tables at the same stake |
| Players per flop | High (for example 35%+ at 6-max) |
| Waiting list | Long: others want to play there too |
| Hands per hour | Normal or high |
Signs of a good table (live)
Section titled “Signs of a good table (live)”- Many players limping and calling. See limping.
- Players chatting, drinking, playing for fun.
- Big pots with weak hands at showdown.
Choosing your seat
Section titled “Choosing your seat”- Sit to the left of loose or aggressive players, so you act after them.
- Avoid sitting to the left of tight players who rarely give action.
- In clubs and online, use notes and player types to remember who’s who.
When to leave a table
Section titled “When to leave a table”- The weak players have left and only regulars remain.
- You’re tired or on tilt.
- You keep facing a player who clearly plays better than you.
Tournaments
Section titled “Tournaments”In tournaments you can’t choose your table, but you can choose which tournaments to play: smaller fields, lower buy-ins and events with overlay.
Why this matters for beginners
Section titled “Why this matters for beginners”Your win rate depends on the gap between your skill and your opponents’. Choosing easier games, like friendly clubs, widens that gap.
What is table selection in poker?
Section titled “What is table selection in poker?”Choosing tables where your opponents make more mistakes than you.
How do you find a good poker table online?
Section titled “How do you find a good poker table online?”Look for a large average pot, a high share of players seeing the flop and a long waiting list.
Where should I sit at a poker table?
Section titled “Where should I sit at a poker table?”To the left of loose or aggressive players, so you act after them.
When should I leave a poker table?
Section titled “When should I leave a poker table?”When the weak players leave, when you’re tired or tilted, or when stronger players keep targeting you.