Updated: October 26, 2024 by Michael Kahn. Published: October 26, 2024.
In the dynamic world of poker, players always find themselves in a fix to choose between the fluid cash game and the structured tournaments. It is not that one game format is better than the other; it’s just that both formats offer different challenges.
But one would be wondering, what really makes the difference between the two gaming formats? What are the advantages that each game offers and what are the strategies you can use in each?
If you have such questions, this article is written just for you.
Table of Contents
The key differences
Structure of the games
To begin with, when you play poker online, tournaments are structured events that comprise of players going head to head against one another in a bid to accumulate all the chips in play. The main goal is to be the last man standing.
You see, with tournaments, there is a fixed entry fee (buy-in) and there is a prize pool which will be distributed among the top finishers. Actually, the chips used do not represent cash but points that will determine the position of a player.
On the other hand, cash games are poker games played for cash around one table. Do you remember those games that you played around the kitchen table when you were still a noob at poker?
Actually, if you are playing online poker, you will realize that there are cash games that suit different budgets. You will always find different levels, such as micro stakes, low stakes, medium stakes and high stakes.
Payment distribution
When playing cash games, the blinds stay the same for each hand, depending on the kind of stake in play. For instance, you can have a $1/$2 stake with as little buy-in of $40.
Additionally, if you lose your money or chips when playing a cash game, you can actually get another buy-in and continue with the game.
On the other hand, tournament games have increasing costs of blinds, for example, after every 15 minutes. Again, you will realize that once you lose all your chips in a game, you’ll have to wait for another game to start because you cannot rejoin.
Tournament strategy
When playing in a tournament, the strategy is simple, don’t let your chips end. Everyone is given the same number of chips at the beginning and you have to carefully manage them since they are in limited supply.
The point of the game is to survive each stage in order to advance in the next where there is a significantly higher prize money.
Here, you have to understand and hack different concepts like:
- Stack sizes
- Changing blind levels
- Various dynamics on the poker table
If you can correctly read your opponents and make quality split-second decisions, then you have a good chance of winning a tournament.
Cash game strategy
Here, the strategy is to maximize your profits by making the best kinds of decisions during each hand. Players have the liberty of choosing their desired buy-in amount and you can leave or reenter the table whenever you deem it fit.
The one way to win each game is good bankroll management, exploiting the weaknesses of your opponents and adapting to the changing dynamics on the table. On cash games, a player needs to deliberately have an end goal since you can play hours-on-end without being eliminated.
Bankroll management in cash games
Well, many pros recommend that you have a bankroll of at least 20 buy-ins if you are playing a cash game. That means that if you are playing using a bind of $0.05/0.1 (NL10) and the table has maximum buy-in of $10, then you should have at least $200 in your account.
Using the same mind, if you only have $100 to play with, then do not risk playing higher than NL5, where you have 20 buy-ins. Anyway, we advocate that you go for the maximum but-ins whenever possible, and if the max is too high, just play lower stakes.
Another important thing is to know when to quit a session, whether you are on a winning or losing streak. Set a limit for each session and hold on to it.
Tournament bankroll management
Here, you will be wise to restrict yourself to 2% of your bankroll for any buy-in you make.
Also, ensure that your buy-in incorporates any add-ons and rebuys that you may require. If you are playing in a tournament that offers rebuys and add-ons, you can be sure that you might spend more than your initial buy-in.
Well, watch out for rebuys as they can increase the prize pool to a very enticing place but you end up spending more than you had purposed.
Conclusion
Poker is a fan favorite among table game players, and even more people are joining the bandwagon. However, you need to understand the different types of games offered by the poker world so that you can find one that appeals most to your gaming patterns.
Both cash games and tournaments are great and it would some careful consideration before you can really settle on which really gets to you.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Whether she is researching the latest trends in home decor, life-changing destination getaways, or the best way to maintain your finances, Dewey takes pride in leaving no stone unturned. She is passionate about distilling and delivering high-quality information that you can use to upgrade your life.
