fullring

Full-ring is a poker term describing a table with a full complement of players, typically nine seats, as opposed to short-handed formats. It is used to distinguish standard nine-handed play from smaller-table variations such as six-max or heads-up. In cash games across modern online and live rooms, full-ring generally means nine players per table; some venues offer ten-handed tables, which may be treated as full-ring in practice, though not all players count them as such. In tournaments, the term is less common but can be used to describe a table with the usual number of participants.

Gameplay at full-ring tables tends to feature more multi-way pots and greater emphasis on position and table dynamics. Early positions are typically tighter, while late positions can exploit fold equity and broader options. Post-flop play becomes more complex due to more opponents in many hands, and bluffing frequencies are usually different from shorter formats because of the increased chance someone has a strong holding. Deeper stacks can amplify the strategic considerations, with players needing careful hand selection, pot control, and post-flop planning.

Compared formats: short-handed games, often six-max, involve faster action and looser ranges due to the higher likelihood of post-flop aggression and frequent all-ins, while heads-up play requires aggressive, game-plan-driven tactics against a single opponent. The term “full-ring” reflects traditional table sizes and is used to contrast with these more abbreviated formats.