Poker tables come in all shapes and sizes. We’re not talking about a cherry wood finish versus a plastic tabletop here, either. Instead, we’re discussing heads-up, six-handed, and full-ring games. Most online poker sites like Party Poker, CD Poker and others online poker rooms feature cash games and tournaments sporting all three varieties, so let’s review the pros and cons of each.

Heads-Up Tables

Pros: This is your chance to square off mano-a-mano against another online poker player. As such, heads-up matches can be a nice stroke to your ego if you’re in need of a boost. More practically, heads-up tables are a perfect opportunity to hone your online poker endgame skills. After all, in order to win a tournament, you’re required to bust every single player. What better way to get some practice and make money at the same time than a heads-up table? In addition, you’re only required to master how one person plays, making the process of familiarizing yourself with your opponents fairly straightforward. There’s no need to take notes on five or eight tablemates in a heads-up match, making the learning curve much smaller and hopefully increasing your profit.

Cons: Heads-up tables come down to a person’s skills. If your opponent is better than you, then chances are you’re going to lose. At a larger table, you may be more skilled than some and less skilled than others, but at a heads-up table, your success mostly depends on your own level of competency compared to one opponent. Similarly, succeeding heads-up means staying aggressive and playing a lot of pots; make sure you’re willing to gamble.

Six-Handed Tables

Pros: Also called short-handed tables, a group of six means that a player’s regular range must be expanded in order to succeed. Playing short-handed is an excellent way to hone your late-game skills and learn how to become aggressive at the table. There’s no waiting around for kings and aces. Instead, button raises with 8-3 offsuit are the norm. Six-handed tables are fun, face-paced, and make an excellent social game. For those who are impatient or have smaller attention spans, six-handed tables should be your destination.

Cons: Because play is opened up so much, six-handed tables provide an easy way to go broke. The more pots you’re involved in and the more flops you see, the greater the chance that a substantial portion of your stack will find its way into the middle. Moreover, once you grow accustomed to the pace and range of play at short-handed tables, it may be more difficult to adjust to full ring and heads-up games, which are more common in tournament formats. Six-handed play is almost like a specialty. Make sure to enrich your mind with other formats as well.

Full Ring Games

Pros: Nine- or ten-handed tables are the norm in major multi-table tournaments, so they are your best bet for practice. If playing tight is your game, then full ring tables are a perfect fit. You can sit back, wait for cards, and then act. There’s no pressure to be aggressive and you can pick your spots carefully. Full ring games exist in abundance on online poker sites, so finding a game that suits your bankroll won’t be a problem. Most sit and gos also start off with nine or ten players, making the transition to that style of poker extremely simple.

Cons: Because you’re seated with eight or nine other players, figuring out how each one plays and then reacting accordingly can take some time. Each player likely has different tendencies, making this process even more difficult. In addition, for many players, full ring games can be unexciting. Much of your action is simply folding, meaning you’re engaged in fewer pots. It ultimately depends on your preference, so choose wisely.