Moving tables and stack sizes

[RiverstarsVictim]

I've noticed more often than not, when I'm forced to move table, I end up on a table with similar stack sizes. Last night for instance, I was 13th in a field of 60, I got moved to a table where 5 players had more chips than me, that meant the other 7 with more chips than me were spread across 5 other tables. I'm quite certain had I been near the bottom of the pack, I would've been on a table against players with mostly similar stacks.

Is there a theory to which table you move or is it totally random?

The reason I ask is because when I was on this table last night, we sort of all respected eachothers stacks too much and the table became passive with no real need to take any risks. For too long the blinds were too low for taking risks and getting involved with marginal hands. It sort of ruined the tourney for me a bit, even though I did make it to final table eventually.

[frob23]

Which table you get moved to should be random. I'm not saying something like that couldn't be done but it shouldn't be happening.

There was a great post about reseating that I read once. But it was exactly the opposite from what you are talking about and it involved a final day reseating. Basically, when everyone gets a new seat. They were saying that players should be sorted by chips... and then the tables each given an even distribution of chips across them.

So say there were 4 tables on the last day. Of the 4 biggest stacks, each would go to one table, of the next 4 stacks -- they would each go to a table... until the 4 smallest stacks, where each would go to a different table. So you have roughly the same amount of chips at each table and you have a balance of different stack sizes on each table.

[RiverstarsVictim]

Which table you get moved to should be random. I'm not saying something like that couldn't be done but it shouldn't be happening.

There was a great post about reseating that I read once. But it was exactly the opposite from what you are talking about and it involved a final day reseating. Basically, when everyone gets a new seat. They were saying that players should be sorted by chips... and then the tables each given an even distribution of chips across them.

So say there were 4 tables on the last day. Of the 4 biggest stacks, each would go to one table, of the next 4 stacks -- they would each go to a table... until the 4 smallest stacks, where each would go to a different table. So you have roughly the same amount of chips at each table and you have a balance of different stack sizes on each table.

What you just posted is basically my way of thinking.

In most other sports there's a ranking system which makes sense. Online poker clearly doesnt have such a system. Maybe it's random but it doesn't feel like it. Not necessarily a bad thing either, just on this particular occasion it made for a boring hour.

[travz21]

I read that as well, Frob. I'm pretty sure I read it from Lee Watkinson's blog, although others might have said this as well. I think it would really change the dynamic of tournament poker and I'm not sure I agree with it. However, I see how it would make things more fair. It's a cool idea regardless.

[frob23]

I read that as well, Frob. I'm pretty sure I read it from Lee Watkinson's blog, although others might have said this as well. I think it would really change the dynamic of tournament poker and I'm not sure I agree with it. However, I see how it would make things more fair. It's a cool idea regardless.

It's likely that is where I saw it. I can't seem to find the discussion anymore but I was fascinated by the idea at the time. I'm not sure it's the best idea... but I thought it was well reasoned.

[powrdragn]

Reseating is definitely random.
And spreading the chips out evenly over each table doesn't really work without stopping the entire event.

Remember that when players move tables, they are simply filling in the open seats at the new table. So, your table draw could just work to your disadvantage sometimes.

[braveboat27]

I suppose it depends upon the tournament and director? On-line, obviously, is easier to complete an even shifting of players and chips per table. Live, I would imagine, is much less scientific: more "by eye."