html table simple question: table (table+empty row+table) vs (table + <br/>+table)?

[NumNoum]

Let me explain it using another words.
What code is better:
#1
<table>

<tr>
<td>
<table> <tr> <td> 1 </td> <td> 2 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> 3 </td> <td> 4 </td> </tr> </table>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>
*
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>
<table> <tr> <td> 5 </td> <td> 6 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> 7 </td> <td> 8 </td> </tr> </table>
</td>
</tr>

</table>


-OR-
#2
<table> <tr> <td> 1 </td> <td> 2 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> 3 </td> <td> 4 </td> </tr> </table>
<br/>
<table> <tr> <td> 5 </td> <td> 6 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> 7 </td> <td> 8 </td> </tr> </table>

They looks the same on the page.
Is #1 much better and the only proper way than #2, but both are OK? Or #2 is bad and wrong or ...?
Please explain.

Thank you.