9-max or 6-max?

[DeuceParade]

Do you prefer 9-max NL or 6-max and why?

I used to always be partial to 9-max because that's what I cut my teeth on in live games and home games when I started playing 23 years ago. But over the last couple of years, I have really enjoyed the 6-max tables as well. I like the faster paced action and to me it feels a little more like poker was meant to be. When you see poker in the old westerns, you don't see 9 or 10 cowboys around a poker table. You'd see 4-6 players around a table in the saloon, and as silly as it might seem, I just feel like that's the way poker was meant to be. I still will play a full ring game when I go out to the casinos, but I just really think 6-max is a much purer form of the game.

So if given the choice, are you going 9-max or 6-max online?

 

[Edu1]

I prefer 9 max (less variance and is more easy to know the opponent hand, range...)
your analogy between the old western cowboys and a 6 max table makes sense.

 

[padman400]

I play both. I like 6 max for the action but seem to do a lot better with full ring.

Have been playing the 9 max full ring on Stars lately and now the action is like 6 max speed wise. So far so good

 

[eluwinka0]

I prefer 9 max, for me its "classic" poker played on big tournaments. But 6 max is also good for me, I often look more on the blind structure than players per table.

 

[DeuceParade]

Yeah, I still do play 9-max from time to time. I guess it's just a different game. I feel like it's much more straight-forward because you need much stronger cards to go deep into a hand because there are more players. I feel like it's more of a card-catching contest.

Whereas I feel 6-max is a much more "gravel in yer' guts" form of poker, like that saloon comparison I was talking about.

 

[Pindiez]

I always prefer 6- max! The two modes of games are good. I think that in 9- max the variance is less, but i love 6- max

 

[Propane Goat]

I started off with 9-max as most beginners do and I've had to move out of my comfort zone a little for 6-max.

It's good experience though because if you're going to win tournaments you will have to figure out how to play at tables with fewer players.

 

[theRaven68]

I play both, I prefer 9 max at tournaments and 6 max at SnGs

 

[kristersb123]

I prefer 9max mtts and 6max cash games, I have been playing 9max more, I know more about blind stealing, push play and other stuff more than 6max

 

[gichka97]

I like to play both, but prefer 9-max than 6-max. The main reason I prefer to play 9-max than 6-max is that the blind does not punish me very fast and there you can play a lit bit more relaxed and comfortable without getting fast decisions and it is possible to make some mistakes and to get back into the game.

 

[Cooking]

When I play tournaments, most of the times I play tight so I prefer 9 players tables. But when I play cash games I prefer the 6 players tables because I play more aggressively (don’t know why this happens).

 

[swerdnase]

I also cut my teeth playing 9-handed, but I've come to appreciate playing 6-handed too. In the late stages of a 9-handed MTT, the tables usually become shorthanded anyway, so having good 6-handed fundamentals comes in "handy" for both formats.

 

[muse713]

I prefer 6 max.

 

[Shakes]

6 max for me. More action to play and less waiting for a hand imo.

 

[Loyal_Flush]

I play 6max cause there isnt 9max tables on my network but i prefer 9max. Best reason is i hate when there are just few people and everyone folds when i have AA

 

[ntf1125]

6 max. Because I needless to see some miracles on 6 max.

 

[ADRI7HO]

The 9-max is good as well as the 6-max, I prefer one of them depending on my mood. Of course, in Omaha, 6-max is the way to go, although there isn't much 9-max anymore.

 

[successlaw]

I always prefer 9 man instead of 6.

 

[Rob Hobson]

It's a matter to play more or less weak hands, more patience to wait for better cards to come accordingly to the blind structure, of course

 

[scrappypower]

6 is good before blinds get too high

 

[Raccoony]

I prefer 9-max because I don't like it when I am at a table where only 6 people are playing and at least 1 of them is sitting out.

 

[chippawa1234]

I love playing 6 max

 

[darkgonz]

I prefer 6-max because there is constant action

 

[jleon_zat]

I prefer 6-max

 

[UkoChebuko]

6 max is more profitable. At 9 max, from UTG, UTG+1 and UTG+2 you have very small win rate. BB and SB bigger loss, than in 6 max.
If you play in small room, no traffic, like 5 tables 6 max and one 9 max, then this table is very good. Because at this 5 tables you play let's say vs 3 regs, at 9 max they are the same. 9 max with 3 regs is pretty cool.
Otherwise , if you have good rakeback, you can play 40% more hands at 9 max. If this is a big room, with traffic. But I don't know about this. 2020 year, can be difficult to find one...