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Poker: Cash Games or Tournaments - Which Should I Play?

Tags: poker strategy, poker tips.
Posted on 20 December 2023 by "T".

Deciding between cash games and tournaments depends on your personal preferences and goals as a poker player.

Here's a breakdown to help you choose:


Cash Games

Pros:

  • Flexibility: Sit down and play whenever you want for as long as you want.
  • Control: Manage your bankroll and choose your table stakes.
  • More consistent action: Frequent hands and opportunities to win smaller pots.
  • Sharpen your skills: Face a similar level of competition over extended sessions.

 

Cons:

  • No big paydays: Winnings will typically be smaller and more predictable.
  • Can be mentally draining: Constant decision-making can be tiring.
  • Exposure to variance: Short-term swings can be demoralizing.
  • Rake can eat into profits: Online platforms take a commission from each pot.

 

Tournaments

Pros:

  • Big win potential: The winner-take-all structure offers a chance at life-changing payouts.
  • Excitement and thrill: Eliminations and ladder climbing create a dramatic atmosphere.
  • Variety of formats: Explore different buy-ins, structures, and game types.
  • Lower entry barriers: Smaller buy-ins allow for participation with limited bankrolls.

 

Cons:

  • Time commitment: Tournaments can last hours or even days.
  • High variance: The bubble phase and early exits can be frustrating.
  • More luck involved: Random cards can have a significant impact on success.
  • Skill gap can be larger: Beginners may face stronger competition in later stages.

 

Based on your preferences

  • If you prefer playing at your own pace and managing your bankroll, cash games might be a better fit.
  • If you're looking for excitement, big wins, and don't mind higher variance, tournaments could be ideal.
  • If you're new to poker, starting with smaller buy-in tournaments or low-stakes cash games can help you build your skills and bankroll.

You could also try both formats to see which you prefer! Some players even mix things up by playing both cash games and tournaments.

Check out our list of Best Poker Sites that offer both cash games and tournaments.

Remember, responsible gambling is key, so set a budget and stick to it regardless of the format you choose.

Image: free https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/realistic-casino-gambling-illustration_33811045.htm

 


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78 comments on "Poker: Cash Games or Tournaments - Which Should I Play?"

Displaying only the 25 latest comments. To view all comments, please visit the forum thread:
» Poker: Cash Games or Tournaments - Which Should I Play?


 CALICUL10/01/2024 21:53:14 GMT
you're right, because some players don't have time to play tournaments, and then they play cash. Those who can play for a few hours will opt for tournaments or cash and everyone plays according to their time and what they like.
 geseco1210/01/2024 22:06:10 GMT
it is very important to clarify this, I think that many can not play the tournaments because it demands a lot of time, a normal tournament usually lasts almost 3 or 4 hours, you can not get up from the chair to take long breaks, but in cash you can do it.
 CALICUL10/01/2024 22:19:11 GMT
yeah, time decides and after that the preferences...
 geseco1212/01/2024 00:28:47 GMT
That's right, many times weekends are the days where most people prefer to play tournaments because most of them are at home, that's why the time will depend on which mode to play poker.
 dule-vu12/01/2024 00:29:27 GMT
You are our pro, you know best!
 tomex1112/01/2024 15:26:28 GMT
geseco12 how is your poker career developing...? Have you reached the top yet...? Blink But you're right, the biggest traffic in poker rooms is on weekends and non-working days, especially in winter when most people stay at home. This is when they have time to play and most of the biggest poker tournaments with a large number of players take place at this time.
 dule-vu12/01/2024 15:29:03 GMT
If you check him on shark scope page, results are not great!
 geseco1214/01/2024 01:34:43 GMT
Each one chooses the modality that he/she likes the most and also that he/she can have more time, I particularly like to play in CASH in ggpoker and rooms also like 888poker and partypoker.
 CALICUL14/01/2024 01:39:55 GMT
it is best for the players to know what they want to play and make some ideas, to choose which games are the best to play for everyone. In this way, they no longer play chaotically or by chance and focus on something solid , where they can try to win as often as possible.
 geseco1215/01/2024 19:16:27 GMT
yesterday i was lucky enough to play a 11 dollar entry fee tournament in wpt global, i got 5th place, it was a great tournament, although it lasted more than 2 hours but it was worth it.
 dule-vu15/01/2024 19:21:35 GMT
Great!
 AKQJ1016/01/2024 00:17:51 GMT
I like both, it depends on how much time I have.
 CALICUL16/01/2024 01:29:20 GMT
I had tournaments of 7 hours and few minutes, but at stakes of 1.10, 2.20 and rarely at 3.30 dollars or more. When the buy-in is higher, you can play a lot for a final table, if there are many players in the tournament. You always have to be prepared for tournaments...
 geseco1216/01/2024 23:12:30 GMT
that good friend, the tournaments usually last a long time, that's why you have to have a lot of patience and not get lost for it, it is also a great opportunity to go far and win big prizes depending on the level.
 dule-vu16/01/2024 23:12:57 GMT
Yeah!
 To6Po617/01/2024 16:29:11 GMT
It depends what yo pref!I play tournaments cause i like them and bearly play cash!And yep you must have a lot of free time for tourneys!
 dule-vu17/01/2024 16:54:42 GMT
Yeah!
 geseco1218/01/2024 01:41:13 GMT
It will depend on each player, most of them play their tournaments on weekends because there is more free time to do more things, poker is becoming more and more beautiful and more when you are on a good streak.
 dule-vu18/01/2024 01:41:47 GMT
You also play on weekends more?
 maragatero20/01/2024 17:45:53 GMT
Hi geseco12, I think that in this matter we have to consider the moment in the history of each player and his skill in the game. When I begun to play, I only play free tournament to learn and make some bankroll. Then I play to much s&g, but never be comfort in cash.
 dule-vu20/01/2024 17:54:46 GMT
Most of players start with freerolls or no deposit bonus!
 Brahman77720/01/2024 21:44:12 GMT
Cash is king!
 dule-vu20/01/2024 21:59:52 GMT
Ha, ha Big Smile
 farhadjo21/01/2024 21:12:26 GMT
I love sports, and I like tournament poker as a sport. Where you can fight in the same conditions among 10,000 people, and even more. And being the best among a huge number of people is no longer passion, but work.
 CALICUL21/01/2024 21:49:04 GMT
yes, it's nice to play and catch final tables in tournaments with thousands of players. This is possible at tournaments in large poker rooms. The small ones have weaker tournaments, but we can win money there too.

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