You are automatically directed to the lobby when you enter a poker room.
It shows all the cash games as well as tournaments along with details of the game at each table.
Certain poker rooms also offer find-a-player function as well as other useful features.
If you are new to online poker, it would be a good idea to check for special freeroll section at the tournaments since there can be a lot of nice freerolls that fill up completely in the blink of an eye.
The stronger players use the lobby quite frequently to find games in which the average pot, flop percentage, the profile of the players at a table and other similar features are advantageous to them.
This is also called table selection Although some poker rooms do not publish this kind of information, like flop percentage, to prevent strong players from identifying loose games.
However, these players are able to locate the loose games despite this by simply looking at the pot.
Table selection is very important if you want to maximize profits and still play your favorite games.
Typically, poker rooms give you the option to enter waiting lists if there isn't an open seat at that time on a specific table.
If you choose not to ask for a seat at a table, you will get in line only at the next limit which may not be as good.
If you enter the waiting list, you will be called once a seat is available automatically.
Usually, poker rooms allow a single player to be in line for 4 tables or more.