Table Types in Texas Hold’Em

As you now know, there are a few different variations of Texas Hold’Em with regards to the betting formats. After considering which betting format to choose when starting your poker career, you will now need to think about what size table you want to play at.

There are three basic types of Texas Hold’Em table size: Full Ring, Short Handed, and Heads Up. As was the case with the betting formats, the difference seems small from the outside, but the strategy required to beat each game type differs quite a lot. Here we will briefly cover each type of table size, covering what exactly they are and why they differ from their counterparts.

Full Ring

Full ring (also referred to as FR) tables are the most popular table size in most casinos, and are also the most widely used in online multi-table tournaments. These tables consist of between seven and 10 players that are seated at the table, in online poker these are generally tables with nine seats.

These tables are generally a calmer affair than Short Handed games, which are much more action oriented. We recommend that players new to the game of poker start out with Full Ring tables to get a feel for the game and master the fundamentals of poker before migrating to the faster paced Short Handed tables.

Short Handed

Short Handed (also called 6max or SH) tables are the format of choice for a lot of experienced players that like to play a lot of hands. These tables consist of between three and six players, with the majority of online poker sites offering the six player tables.

The difference in strategy between Full Ring games and Short Handed games is bigger than many would expect. Because the blinds reach each player more quickly (because there are less players for them to go around), players must play more hands in order to counteract the fact they are paying the blinds more often.

Heads Up

Heads Up (also called HU) tables consist of exactly two players, and are the natural habitat for many of the world’s best poker players playing the ultra high stakes. If you’re looking for action, Heads Up tables are the place to be. Having said that, these tables aren’t really suitable for beginners, and players should have quite a lot of experience before venturing into the world of Heads Up.

The reason that experience is required for Heads Up play is that players must play a lot of hands, due to only two players being present. This means you are paying blinds every single hand (on another note, in Heads Up the blinds are reversed, with the dealer paying the small blind), so you must play a lot of hands to counteract this fact. This means players will be confronted with a lot of situations where they have weak hands and are unsure of what they should do. New players without the experience will find this very difficult, and will probably end up losing money.

Summary

* Three different table sizes in Texas Hold’Em

* Full Ring consists of seven to 10 players, and is the calmest variation

* Short Handed tables consist of three to six players, and is a more action oriented game

* Heads Up pits two players against each other, and is the most action oriented game available. Requires a lot of experience