What is a "table change" in poker?

[ProGambler]

In poker, a "table change" refers to the process of moving a player from one table to another during a cash game or a tournament. Table changes can occur for various reasons and are often done to balance the number of players at each table, accommodate seating preferences, or adjust for changes in the number of players remaining in a tournament.

In a cash game, table changes are typically made to ensure fairness and maintain a balanced distribution of players and chip stacks across the tables. This helps prevent any one table from having a significant advantage or disadvantage in terms of the skill level of players or the amount of chips in play.

 

[CR7]

Table changes in cash games are usually initiated by the poker room staff or the tournament director. They may monitor the number of players at each table and make adjustments as necessary to maintain balance. This often involves moving one or more players from one table to another, either by physically moving the players or by reassigning seats.

Table changes in tournaments are typically made to accommodate changes in the number of players remaining and to balance the tables for fairness. As players are eliminated or new players join the tournament, tables may become unbalanced in terms of the number of players or the average chip stack. To rectify this, players may be moved from one table to another to ensure that all tables have roughly the same number of players and a similar average chip stack.

Table changes can also occur in response to player requests. Some players may prefer to change tables to avoid particular opponents, be seated next to their friends, or have certain seating preferences. While poker rooms typically try to accommodate these requests, they also take into consideration the fairness and integrity of the game.

It is worth noting that table changes are different from blind or button changes, which are regular rotations of positions around the table to ensure equal opportunities for all players. Table changes, on the other hand, involve physically moving players from one table to another, often resulting in a change of seat as well.

Overall, table changes are an integral part of poker games and tournaments, and they are implemented to maintain fairness, balance, and player satisfaction. They help create a level playing field and ensure that no single table or player has an unfair advantage.