Poker: Why play 6 max tables?

[sabotai]

Simple question. I am just starting to get back into playing poker regularly, and have been playing the .5/1 PartyPoker 10 max tables (doing decently, put I can already see a few aspects of my game that need work).

It seems that a lot of people are playing the 6 max tables. I would think that the blinds hitting you more frequently would cut into the money you make, so what about them makes up for that and more?

[MJ4H]

Simply put, if you are a good player, the more decisions you make, the more money you make. 6 max is faster and allows you to make more decisions per hour or whatever. The blinds hitting you more often doesn't matter because that is just money in the pot. Everyone pays that, so no disadvantage to you.

The swings are bigger, so if you don't like variance, 6 max may not be for you, but you can definitely make more money that way. You can also add in that, at least when I used to play, the 6 max players were much worse than the full table players.

Subjectively, the action is faster at a 6 max table so it can be more interesting/fun if you get bored easily.

[QuikSand]

I think 6max also tends to attract low-attention-span types who crave increased "action." Generally speaking, if you can adjust your play properly to that sort of opponent, that makes the environment even more profitable.

I think if you're playing fairly low limits online, 6max is generally a better place to be than full tables (and I'm speaking mostly as a full table player).

[QuikSand]

Here's a worthwhile article on the subject -- well put:

hxxp://www.notedpokerauthority.com/articles/article19

[primelord]

Quik and MJ4H have covered it pretty well so far. Six max games are more profitable because of the increased number of hands per hour and the generally poorer players that make up those tables. Paying the blinds more often isn't an issue because your equity in those blinds is higher than at a full tbale. Yes you pay the blinds more often, but since the table is short handed your hands in the blinds are going to hold up more often.

I play exclusively 6 max games now (outside of tournaments of course) and I don't think I could go back to full tables. If you make the jump you need to be prepared for a more volatile game though. The swings are higher and you are going to find out you need to be more aggressive with hands like middle pair and worse against many opponents.

A lot of people will tell you to just play the game like it was folded to tthe player in middle position at a full table. I don't think that is completely accurate, but it isn't a terrible place to start. You don't want to be open limping in these games. If you are opening the pot you want to be raising. Here is a link to a starting hands chart at 2+2 for 6 max games. It isn't perfect, but it is a good starting place and will give you a good idea of what type of hands you should be playing up front:

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=headsup&Number=2992389

[Subby]

If you are four tabling you can get in at least 400 hands per hour which is awesome - it takes nine to ten hours to play that many hands at a B&M casino...

[sabotai]

Here's a look at my first 1,000 hands at .5/1 PartyPoker (999 hands, actually)

Vol. Put $ In Pot: 18.12% (181 of 999)
Vol. Put $ In from SB: 31.86% (36 of 113)

Saw Flop All Hands: 22.02% (220 of 999)
Saw Flop Not Blind: 16.75% (127 of 758)

Folded SB to Steal: 100% (9 of 9)
Folded BB to Steal: 86.68% (13 of 15)
Fold BB to Steal HU: 77.78% (7 of 9)

Att. To Steal Blinds: 23.91% (11 of 46)

Won $ When Saw Flop: 37.73% (83 of 220)

Amount Won: $11.25
Win Per 100 Hands: $1.13 (1.13 BB/100)

Went To Showdown: 30.45% (67 of 220)
Won $ At SD: 52.24% (35 of 67)

Raised Pre-Flop: 6.11% (51 of 999)

Aggression Factor: 1.63
(Breakdown: Flop 1.34, Turn 1.77, River 2.42)

Sessions (2-tables at a time):
Night #1: $45.50 (315 Hands, 14.44 BB/100)
Night #2: $6.00 (222 Hands, 2.70 BB/100)
Night #3: $1.88 (283 Hands, 0.66 BB/100)
Night #4: ($42.13) (179 Hands, -23.54 BB/100)

As you can see, I had a bad night last night (Night #4). I'm sure I made plenty of mistakes, but I also didn't hit a single draw all night. 4 times I flopped 4 to a flush and 4 to a straight (giving me like half the deck as outs), and never hit it. Just one of those nights, but I know I have a lot of room for improvement as well.

I know I fold to a steal too oftan. Anything else jumping out at anyone? Want to see anything else?

Tonight I plan to sit down with Miller's book (Small Stakes Hold 'Em) and go through it again to refresh my mind.

[GoldenEagle]

I tried the six-max, but it was just not for me. I could not make the adjustments and got my arse handed to me. It is great for some people but others (like me) just do not pick up on it as quickly.

I think I could play six-max if I forced myself to go down in levels and learn it there. But I am having fun (and being profitable) playing $5/10 full for the time being.

[primelord]

Are those stats from 6-max or full tables? If they are from full tables you VP$IP is ok. If thay are from six max tables then you really want to be more in the 22-25% range.

Either way you don't raise preflop nearly enough. I know 1000 hands is a small sample and you might have been a bit card dead, but 6.11% is VERY low. You should at least be in the double digits if it is full tables and 18-20 if it is 6 max.

[Subby]

You should go to showdown a lot more often in 6max. Like 36-40% of the time. Ace-high wins plenty of heads-up pots. Plus you get players semi-bluff raising A LOT more, so you need to trust reads and be willing to get to showdown with your hand. Guys will bet stuff like A-high, King-high and missed draws all the way to the river.

Primelord is right on about your preflop raising. You have to do it a lot more. If you are first in the pot, RAISE. Do not overlimp unless you have stuff like small pairs and suited connectors.

I write fairly often about 6max strategy in our blog (http://www.92offsuit.com). Here is an excerpt from a post I wrote about 6max opening standards:

UTG
AA-77, AKs-A9s, AKo-ATo, KQs-KJs, KQo, QJs, JTs (I ocassionally open A9o or KTs here).

MP
All of the above, plus A8s-A7s, A9o, KTs, KJo-KTo, QTs, QJo, JTo (ocassionally T9s, A8o, K9s)

CO (I start thinking about stealing here)
All of the above, plus 66-55, A6s-A2s, A8o-A5o, K9s, Q9s, T9s (ocassionally 44-33 and J9s and 98s)

BTN
All of the above plus 22,33, all Axo, all Kxs, all Kxo, Q8s-Q5s, Q9o-Q8o, J9s-J8s, J9o, T8s-T7s, 98s-76s

A lot of my BTN openings depend heavily on the blinds. I tighten up a bit against heavy defenders, expand against habitual folders.

I'd be happy to look at some hands if you want analysis - Primelord is awesome at 6max hand evaluation, too - as are dixieflatline and a couple of other poker guys on here.

Anyway...good luck!

[sabotai]

Are those stats from 6-max or full tables?

Full tables.

Thanks for the info. I'll definately work on raising preflop more oftan.

[primelord]

It's been quite awhile since I have played any full table games. Taking a look at the FAQ in the micro limits section at 2+2 they suggest that your VPIP be between 15-20 (your in good shape there) and have a PFR% between 7-10.

So if you push your numbers to 18/9 or so you should be in good shape. The .5/1 game is a very loose passive game. You can afford to loosen up comsiderably in late position and raise liberally on the button.