What exactly are Poker Table Dynamics?!
These are the way your table may be affected by various factors. In either a cash game or a multi table tournament, you can’t just sit down and assess the table as being tight and expect it to remain that way as other people come and go. The dynamics will be constantly shifting, and you need to keep one step ahead at all times.
A few examples:
The Cash Game
When you sit down at any cash game, be it online or a live game, you will be looking to see how the table is playing in terms of Passive, Aggressive, Tight or Loose. After about a round you will soon have this answer – however you must be careful to reassess this information constantly. This is especially true if someone leaves and a new person arrives to fill the gap. You could have a loony sit down and the previously tight table could suddenly spiral into a maniacs paradise!
The Multli-table tournament (MTT)
These tournaments are certainly interesting for dynamics. They won’t start to fully kick in until you get down towards the money, and even more so until there are maybe about 3 tables left. You will find that the way you play will have to change if you suddenly get a monster chip leader moved to your table or a bunch of short stacks. After all the chip leader will no doubt call your bluff if he can afford it and the short stacks will be desperate enough to move all in should you try anything tricky.
There are far too many examples of all the different factors that could change your game, but it really can’t hurt to be observant and empathise with how the other players may be approaching the game / what their thought processes may be. This takes a little practice and will require some hard lay-downs, However in the long run it will see you on to many more final tables and will get you higher up the money list.
Please reply with any examples of your own or any thoughts
Thanks
Duff
gtycoon said
Good post! I like to watch a cash table for a while before I sit down and play. I’ll want to take in how everyone is playing. Sure some will even leave while I’m watching but there will be a few that will be staying around a bit longer. You’ll want to figure who you want sitting to your left or your right. As players come and go you’ll have to adjust your game or quite possibly move to another table. It’s all about making money and you want the conditions at the table to suit you.