G.H. wrote: > table.remove(b, 1) > return #b > 2 > return #a > 2 As everyone has noted, you need to make a deep copy of the table. For an example see the following link: http://lua-users.org/wiki/CopyTable There are many discussions in the archives. Try searching the archives at: http://lua-users.org/lists/lua-l/ Doug -- Innovative Concepts, Inc. www.innocon.com 703-893-2007 x220