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Message: [QUOTE="Debi, post: 1649301, member: 13937"] [B]Strategy Article:[/B] [B][SIZE=3]Single Table Tournaments: How to Beat Variance by Daniel Smythe, WPT Poker Magazine[/SIZE][/B] [SIZE=3]Variance: the dreaded “V” word. While in the strict mathematical sense of the word variance is basically any fluctuation (positive or negative) away from the standard line of results, many poker players tar it with the negative brush and place it alongside another poker profanity: downswing. However you slice it, variance is a natural part of poker and, in sit’n’gos in particular, it’s something you have to get used to. The nature of variance means that volume matters when it comes to assessing your game because over the short term a particular run of cards can make you look like a veritable champ or chump. Some mathematical models have shown that a sample size of 100 games is only around 23% accurate when predicting the overall skill of a sit-N-go player. With this in mind, it is important that you always consider the long term when assessing your sit-N-go game. [/SIZE] [SIZE=3]·[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]One key factor in beating these short term dips is having an adequately padded bankroll. Hitting a losing streak of 20 games is extremely common which means you need at least 50 buy-ins for the particular level you play.[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]·[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]The right set-up is also crucial. To overcome negative variance and capitalise on any upswings, you need to become a proficient mulit-tabler. Before I started my sit-N-go journey I was comfortable playing four cash tables at one time. However, after playing for only a few weeks I realised that in order to maximise my edge and even out the variance I needed to step it up.[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]A big advantage of mass multi-tabling is it is very hard to dwell on any “bad beats”, which means you don’t have time to donk of any chips in anger. The downside to adding more tables, however, is that you can’t devote as much attention to game and, therefore, your theoretical ROI exponentially decreases. The general consensus is that for each extra table you add you lose approximately 8% of your total profit figure.[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]This example shows a winning player at the $20 games with a current ROI of 20%. This player only plays one table at a time and based on an average game time of 40 minutes, we can say that this player makes $6 per hour. [/SIZE] [SIZE=3]•1 Table - $4.00 per game - 1.5 games per hour = $6[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]•2 Tables - $3.86 per game - 3 games per hour = $11.04[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]•3 Tables - $3.38 per game - 4.5 games per hour = $15.21[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]•4 Tables - $3.10 per game - 6 games per hour = $18.60[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]•5 Tables - $2.85 per game - 7.5 games per hour = $21.37[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]•6 Tables - $2.62 per game - 9 games per hour = $23.58[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]Clearly the way to increase your hourly rate and combat variance is the up the number of tables you play. But if you don’t do it properly things can go wrong very quickly. With this in mind, here are some top tips to improve your multi-tabling skills. [/SIZE] [B][SIZE=3]Tips for multi-tabling and set-up considerations:[/SIZE][/B] [SIZE=3][B]Play in sets[/B] – Register for a set number of games and play them all out before commencing another set. I find this most effective as you are always at a similar stage in each tournament and therefore better focused on playing an effective beginning, middle and end game strategy. [/SIZE] [SIZE=3][B]Stack or Tile[/B] – Some players like to see every table and opt to tile their games. This is great as it allows you to notice certain things you wouldn’t when you’re cascading. However, having too many tables tiled on one screen will cause an information overload. Six tables is my ideal number for tiling but anymore than that and cascading becomes the better option. While you may miss some of your opponents’ moves it allows you to fit a large amount of tables on one screen and not be distracted by any extraneous information. [/SIZE] [SIZE=3][B]Use a mouse[/B] - If you’re playing on a desktop then you will already be using a mouse but if you play on a laptop it will pay to invest in a USB mouse. Aside from offering better accuracy and mobility it will save your index finger from cramping up when the action starts coming thick and fast. [/SIZE] [SIZE=3][B]Multi-monitor[/B] – Once you’ve spent a bit of time perfecting your sit’n’go skills and built up a healthy bankroll it is a good idea to reward yourself with an additional monitor. Twice the desktop space means twice the tables and (hopefully) twice the profits.[/SIZE] [SIZE=3][B]Have a plan[/B] - Playing multiple tables means that a lot of your actions are going to be predetermined by position, stack size, blinds and your cards. While it may feel slightly robotic to play in such a way it is the best strategy for making a consistent profit in these games. [/SIZE] [SIZE=3]To become a top STT player requires a variety of skills and multi-tabling is just one of them. Hopefully, this article has shown the benefits of adding more tables to your sessions and given you some tips on how to be a truly sick grinder. [/SIZE] About the author: [SIZE=3]Since contracting the sickness while at university poker has become one of the central activities in my life. Aside from playing the game on a regular basis, I also write for (in my opinion) the best poker magazine in the industry, World Poker Tour Magazine. I’ve dabbled in a number of poker variants, but in recent times STTs have become my game of choice and when I’m not tilting I’m usually making a decent profit. - Daniel Smythe[/SIZE] [/QUOTE]

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