Multi-tabling has a reputation as being something all the elite poker players do. Pictures of high stakes poker players with four computer monitors and 12+ tables running are common at poker forums and in poker news publications. Although multi-tabling can be a very good thing, there are times when I think you are best served playing at just one table.

The biggest advantage of multi-tabling is that it can effectively multiply your win rate. If you make $20 an hour at one table, why not open up a second table and make a total of $40 an hour? There eventually comes a point of diminishing returns, but a certain amount of multi-tabling can be very profitable. Even so, I think multi-tabling can be overrated at times.

1. When you are a newbie (duh)

Let’s start with the most obvious case in which multi-tabling is a bad idea. Whether you are new to poker in general or are trying to learn a new game type, you should only play at one table at a time. Why? Because you need to concentrate on learning the rules and all the little intricacies of the game. You need to learn how to use proper strategy for the game. You may also wish to save money, because it is unlikely that you will just jump right in and be a winner.

This tip is actually aimed primarily at experienced Texas Holdem players who are trying a new game such as Omaha. Complete poker newbies usually know better than to fire up 8 tables the first time they ever play. But experienced players can get a little cocky. They might see Omaha, figure it’s just Holdem with two extra cards and jump right in. That is a costly mistake.

2. When you are moving up in stakes

This might seem like another obvious tip, but you would be surprised at how many people ignore it. Poker games get progressive harder as you move up in stakes. This is no surprise. However, people tend to move up in stakes when they have made a lot of money at their previous stakes. In many cases, this is the result of an extended winning streak.

The player who has just made an easy $10,000 in the past month or two is naturally going to feel like the king of the world. It is very easy to fall into the trap in which you think the rules apply to everyone else. Don’t let a good run of cards lull you into complacency. Take every step up seriously and ease yourself into the games. You can’t move up in stakes and expect everything to stay the same. Give yourself a little room to get used to the different player styles and more sophisticated opponents.

3. When you are losing interest in the game

Grinding out a profit at the tables can become a real drag after a while. When you first start making money at poker, it’s the coolest thing in the world. You look forward to hitting the tables and putting your skills to the test. Eventually, the novelty wears off and it becomes a grind.

When you find yourself losing motivation, it’s time to go back to a single table for a while. Spend a little time focusing on one table and really trying to manipulate your opponents. Get out of that robotic mindset for a while and bring the magic to the game.

4. When you want to improve your skills

Robot multi-tabling can make you rusty. If you play at 4, 8 or 12 tables, it is easy to get into a monotonous routine of default plays based on the situation and stats of your opponents. This does work for grinding out a profit, but it inhibits improvement of your game.

You learn the most when you focus on one table and pay close attention to your opponents. You have time to carefully consider the implications of every move. You can try new things yourself and learn new things from your opponents. Go back to one table every once in a while to improve your game. Trust me, you do not want to get left behind with an antiquated playing style that just gets you by.

5. When you are on a big downswing

Downswings drain the soul. They make you lose confidence and motivation. Even the best poker players suffer from the occasional monster downswing. If you find yourself on a big downswing, go back to playing at one table at a time.

By moving down to a single table, you are able to carefully analyze your own play. You can make sure you are actually playing your A-game. A downswing might start out as just pure bad luck, but it can often morph into a combination of bad cards and bad play. If you slowdown and drop back to just one table, you will find it easier to recover.

Remember

Don’t let pride trick you into multi-tabling when you shouldn’t multi-table. There is nothing “elite” about multi-tabling. Poker is all about making money. You should not care about anything else. If you are new to a game, have lost interest in the game or are just on a terrible run of cards, do not force yourself to multi-table. Slow down, take a breather and jump back into multiple tables when you are truly ready.