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Table selection on Winamax: choosing the right table to boost your BB/100
Table selection means choosing a table before you play instead of sitting at the first one available. A table with a high percentage of players seeing the flop and at least one identified fish mechanically boosts your winrate, without changing your playing strategy.
The most underrated skill at the micro-limits
Most players spend hours working on their preflop ranges but choose their table at random. That's a reversal of priorities: on Winamax, the difference between a soft table and a tough table can be worth more BB/100 than any fine strategic adjustment.
The 4 criteria to check before sitting down
Average number of players per flop
A table where more than 40% of hands see multiple players at the flop indicates a loose table, generally more profitable than a tight table where everyone waits for a premium hand.
Average pot size
A high average pot relative to the blinds signals players who overvalue their hands or pay off too wide — favorable ground for value betting.
The presence of at least one identified fish
A single table with a clearly identified high-VPIP player (see our article on fish at the micro-limits) can be worth more than an entire table of tight regulars.
Your seat at the table relative to the fish
Sitting to the left of a loose-aggressive player (so you can act after him) is structurally better than sitting to his right.
Combining table selection with exploiting fish
Choosing the right table isn't enough if you don't know what to do with the weak players sitting at it. See our article on exploiting fish at the micro-limites for concrete adjustments once you're seated at a good table.
A strategic leak is still a leak even at the site's best table — table selection multiplies an already-profitable game, it doesn't fix systematic mistakes.
Frequently asked questions
Does table selection really change your BB/100?
Yes, significantly. Two players of the same technical level can have very different winrates simply because one picks their tables and the other sits at the first open seat.
How long should you observe a table before sitting down?
A few minutes is enough if you look at the stats displayed by the client (players seeing the flop, average pot size) rather than waiting to play hands yourself.
Should you leave a table that's becoming less profitable?
Yes. If the identified fish leave the table or tight regulars start filling the seats, table quality can drop quickly — there's no obligation to stay.
Does table selection replace technical work?
No, it complements it. A player with significant technical leaks (a miscalibrated C-bet, excessive fold to 3-bet) still loses even at the best table — table selection maximizes an already-solid game, it doesn't fix it.
Check whether your table selection really pays off
Upload your Winamax history and track your BB/100 over time to find out whether your table choices are profitable in the long run.
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