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After playing an average of 20,000 hands of poker last year into my first foray into online no-limit hold’em, I split the time about evenly between the full ring game and 6max. For those
of you interesting in learning a yeoman level understanding between the difference in the games (and yes there is a difference) . I’ll show some examples of hands at each type of game at
various levels and give a short explanation of game play theory, game play experience, and potentially optimal (and perhaps debatable) ideal TAG stats for each game.
Definition:
Full Ring: For most online poker rooms, as well as “table” poker rooms (aka Brick and Mortar), this means the table is filled to the maximum it will hold – nine
players. I’ve seen tables that accommodate 10 in some poker rooms but traditionally you’ll see up to nine players.
6 Max: You don’t have to be a theoretical physicist to understand that this game only plays with six players instead of the traditional nine.
Basic Pros and Cons
Full Ring PROS:
· Traditionally the softest game around (as compared to 6max or Heads Up)
· Slow pace means that a player can maximize the amount of tables played at once
· Widest variety of table selection through microstakes up to the 200nl range.
Full Ring CONS:
· Slower pace means potential for boredom
· More shortstackers at tables than any other game
· Long wait lists when finding a game
6 Max PROS:
· Fast Action Game
· Players are more apt to stack off with less
· Good variety of tables at 200nl+ stakes
6 Max CONS:
· Tougher regulars at 100nl+
· Greater amount of variance
· Don’t build up as many FPP (or FTP points, or etc) per session
Basic Game Play Theory (10nl – 50nl)
Full Ring: Working your way through the microstakes should be primarily categorized as aggressive nut-peddling. Play a very tight and patient game and really play tight in the UTG
(under the gun) and UTG+1 seats. Learn the right time to play pocket pairs for strength as opposed to simple set mining, and definitely be on board the whole ‘Stealing the Blinds’
bandwagon out of the button and cutoff seats. Overall your game stats should be in the 15/12 neighborhood, meaning you play 15% of your hands and are raising preflop 12% of the time.
6 Max: It’s time to debunk the common misconception that playing 6max means you open up your game to just about every hand you get dealt. Let the fish make that mistake, and in
the meantime you’re simply going to play pretty much the same game you would as if you were playing Full Ring, only accounting for the first three seats being taken off the table. Since
you’ll be folded to more often in the CO and BTN seats, you’ll be stealing more and/or playing from position. Ideally I’ve seen TAG stats for 6max at these stakes in the
22/20 and even 18/16 with the general idea that you’re rarely flatting a bet preflop.
Basic Game Play Experience (10nl – 50nl)
Full Ring: Don’t expect much in the way of talent to get in your way. Either players are playing these levels because they are learning like you, or because they stink and
can’t play for decent money. The tables will be slow so this is a great place to add tables to your session to learn how to get up to 10+ tables at once. The variance is lowest here
because people stack off rarely, especially preflop where rarely will you see anyone with a decent sized stack go AIPF (All In Pre Flop) with anything but AA, KK, QQ, or AK.
6 Max: The action will be a lot faster than Full Ring and people will definitely stack anywhere from AJ to AQ, AK, JJ+ preflop at 6max but you need to really get an identity set for the
table. You’ll learn to be a much more aggressive player if you exclusively play 6max for any extended amount of time because you are constantly put into situations that require you to
play your cards. You can expect a good degree of variance, meaning runs of +/- 8 buyins will be part of life on a regular basis.
Overall Thoughts on Each Game
Full Ring: Great for beginners to the game, and I’d recommend you start here even if you have a lot of poker experience but are new to the whole online thing. Also if you prefer
to play lots of tables rather than less tables but more hands, this is the way to go.
6 Max: You enjoy playing a disciplined, tight, aggressive game and playing in post flop situations. You really should be mentally and emotionally stronger than your average full ring
player because they won’t go through the streaks you will. You like action, but aren’t a huge fan of massively multitabling.
What I Don’t Recommend
Finally, what I would NOT recommend is you fluctuate between both games thinking they are one and the same. They are definitely different and unless you have a lot of experience under your
belt, the best thing you can do is choose a game and go with it and learn to beat it. After a few weeks or a month, if you want to switch back, then you can. Often you will find if you
were at 6max the full ring game at the same level (or even one up) is a whole lot easier.
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