Update/Comments on 6 max vs 10- NL Ring games.

I just logged into Party (Saturday morn 11 EST) and noticed that at the $25NL ring games there are over 120 full 6 max tables and only about 40 full 10 handed games. I'm wondering if this is a developing trend or has the 6 max been more popular for a while? Also is this the case on other sites as well?

Considering the above, I guess the more relevant point becomes are the games softer in general at the 6 max tables given their popularity.

The presence of 1 or 2 strong players would obviously be a greater challenge at 6 max, so table selection is, as always, key. Could it also be easier however, to benefit from poorer players, with less competitors taking advantage of their identified weakness?

Finally, I know that starting hand selection can be loosened up a little with fewer players at the table but would be interested in more specific suggestions of play modification. Do these tables suit a more aggressive approach for example or can you expect more aggression against you and adjust your pre and post flop play accordingly?

Any and all comments/recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

i've been playing a lot of 6 max, so here are my tips.

you can loosen up a bit. but not by much. full ring you should be playing less than 20% of hands. 6 max you can afford to be aroudn 25%...so really it's not that many more hands. any more and you're playing too loose.

6 max is more about aggression. if everyone folded to you on the button a lot of people would raise with 55. personally i think that's a tad bit too aggressive, because the blinds never fold anyways and there's too many overcards that will beat 55.

swings are higher because on average your winning hands won't be as good. but the good thing is you can single out the weak players very easily and walk right over them. of course it's also more difficult if there are tight aggressive players around.