| Working The Lobby |
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Check out the games and the limits being played. The online lobby offers a wealth of valuable information that is only a click away: info on the number of players seeing the flop, the average pot size, number of hands played per hour, names of the players in each game, who is on the waiting list, and how many games of a particular limit are in play. This information is essential to choosing the right game and limit. Some folks prefer wild games. Some prefer more passive ones. Some like full games; some like short‐handed. Players who are nearly equally competent in all games can choose between a dozen or more games at the limit of their choice. Game and table selection is a critical part of casino poker. Fundamentally, it is even more important online. At first glance it might seem that table selection is less important online because it is extremely easy to move from one game to another. This is not the case. The tools are available for players to be constantly aware of where the good games are. Constant vigilance is a price of winning online. When signing up for games, never choose the ʺany gameʺ at this limit option. This takes away your ability to manipulate your position on each sign‐up list. For instance, if you’ve signed up for any $15/30 Hold’em game, and your name comes to the top of the list in a game filled with players you don’t want to play with, if you pass this game, you are removed from all the $15/30 lists automatically. Likewise, if you rise to the top of the list on a game that doesnʹt look good now, but has potential because of others behind you on the waiting list, you may want to un‐join that list and then rejoin again at the bottom ‐‐ perhaps when your name, now sixth, rises to the top, the game will be good. If you’ve signed up for ʺany game,ʺ that option is not available to you. You simply will be put at the bottom of every single list you are on! At the most popular online card‐rooms, you have greater options ‐ and a lot of information to use in choosing. Don’t restrict yourself. Keep several card‐rooms on your computer to choose from. Look for the Keep constantly vigilant. Field intelligence is the key to winning. |