6 vs 9 handed tables

[brianb10]

Not sure if this has been discussed before or if this should be in the online poker forum since I am speaking only of online play and not live.  From a strategy standpoint what is the biggest difference or biggest consideration when playing 6 handed tables and 9 handed tables?

[Detroitdad]

Aggression/patience and opening up your range of hands at  a 6 player table vs a 9 player table

[holdemholmes]

6 Handed play - hand range opens up as there are less hands to play against...blinds hit you more often so you should play more aggressive IMO, you will play a bit more hands. There is a lot more action, which is one of the reasons I prefer shorthanded.

[luckystraights]

It'll depend on the stakes to some extent, in the micro's a lot of fishy regs play like total nits even by fr standards in 6m.

In a "real" 6m game, opening ranges from all positions especially MP (BTN ranges should be similar to FR) onwards, there will be more 3b'ing and stack off ranges will be wider. TPTK could be a standard stack off on a 2 flush board in 6m for eg, but probably isn't in a lot of fr games in the micro's.

[PlayersJet]

As already stated, you need to plan on playing a larger range of hands and be a little more aggressive since the blinds eat away at you a lot quicker.  I only play 6 handed if it is a deeper stack tournament, and yes you need to avoid the crazies and let them knock themselves out (or double/triple/quadruple up) early on, even more of them than on 9 handed it seems.

[Gobbs]

Three words about playing at a six-handed table.

1) Steal
2) Steal
3) Steal

Steal everything you can from the opening bell.

KC