The opportunity to play multiple tables is one of the major advantages of online poker. All you have to do in log-in, pick your tables, start playing and you've got a better chance of landing the sweet deal. Poker's top online earners all play multiple tables. After all, more tables equals better chances - once you know what you are doing. It's easy to make mistakes and either take on too much, too soon, or even to underestimate your own capabilities. Here are a few hints that'll help you on your way multi-tasking with ease.

Don't Rush It

While it's understandable that you want to make money, fast, you should not jump into multi-table poker before you can confidently handle one table. When I first started playing, it took all my brain power to make a decision for a single hand. Having to make quick and reasonable calls for more than one table would have been disastrous to not only my bankroll, but also my reputation. Just think how annoying it can be to wait for other players to make decisions. Online poker rooms are communities – you have to make sure you act respectfully.

Start In Different Spots

It's also a good idea to start games at different blind levels (for tournaments) and positions (for cash games). This will help you make better decisions. Take this example: You start a tournament and wait for it to reach the middle games (25/50 or 50/100 blinds), and then start another tournament. At this point you have two tournaments on the go at different levels, and if you folloe solid tournament strategy, you would be folding most of the hands in the second tournament making it easier to make decisions in the first one. If you are playing cash games, you can sit at different positions in relation to the blinds in two games. This ensures you don't have two games waiting for you to make a decision at the same time.

Continuous and Sets

This only refers to tournaments. To play continuously or in sets are ways to go about managing your games. Playing in continuous mode means you maintain a specific number of tables all the time. Let's say you are playing in 6 tournaments; if you bust in two, you would immediately start two more to keep the number of running tables at 6. Playing in sets means you maintain a set number of games to completion, and then start another set.

Players have different options about which strategy is better, but all in all it is a matter of personal preference. I'd suggest trying both and seeing what works best for you. Playing continuously is definitely more mentally taxing, since you don't have the break afforded by sets. On the other hand, the momentum of continuous play keeps some players on their best game. It's really your call.

Play Similar Games

Concentrating on more than one table at a time is difficult enough, so it helps if you play the same kind of poker, even if you are playing it at different levels. For example, it is not advisable to play Texas Hold'em, a Sit ‘n' Go and then H.O.R.S.E. Your mind will have a leading edge if it can focus on one poker variation and one set of rules at a time. The type of competition you'll find in different types of tournaments also differs – another reason to keep it similar and simple.

If you think about playing poker as an hourly job, then playing multiple tables means you are increasingly your hourly wage. The make any of these tips useful, you have to be able to make quick, precise decisions.

- Patricia Lang, Tower Gaming Media Room Manager