The main differences between cash games and tournament poker.
When starting to play poker, it is important to decide right away whether to play cash games or tournaments. What is the difference between them? In tournament poker, all players start the game with an equal number of chips, and the blinds gradually increase. The main task facing the player is to win all of their opponents’ chips. Depending on the player’s final position, they receive a cash prize.
Unlike tournament poker, in cash games, chips are real money, and each chip has its own denomination. It is impossible to be completely eliminated from a cash game; you can buy more chips at any time and play longer. The main goal in such a game is to win a pot that is larger than it was at the beginning of the game. This is roughly the main difference, but there are a number of other features.
How cash games differ from tournament poker
The reliability of winnings in cash games.
In cash poker, income is usually more consistent. If you play for a long time, you can even roughly estimate your planned earnings for the next month. In tournament poker, there is no such predictability. Even the most experienced player can go months without winning a decent pot. And when you consider that you have to pay an entry fee for each tournament, you can end up in the red.
For this reason, if you are looking for a small but steady income, cash games are for you. If you are looking for excitement and huge prizes, then play tournament poker.
Freedom of action. Poker enthusiasts know that as soon as another major tournament begins, the player no longer has control over their time. Their whole life revolves around the tournament. And you never know how long it will take: a couple of hours or a whole day. Cash games are simpler: the game starts when you have free time, without having to adjust to a specific time.
Differences in game strategy. As practice shows, playing in tournaments is much easier. If you are just learning, the learning process will be easier and less costly for you. By playing cash games, you gain experience and knowledge faster. By the way, players more often switch from cash games to tournament poker, and not vice versa.
Differences in bets. When it comes to bets and potential pots, you will still earn more in cash games. If you have already gained experience in games, you will be able to find high-stakes games online every day. However, large tournaments with big winnings are rare. When it comes to the largest poker tournament, the WSOP, it only takes place a few days a year.
What about the pros?
If you consider poker as a way to make a steady income, then of course every pro will choose cash games. The earnings may not be huge, but they are consistent. It’s also very appealing to be able to plan your own time, not just for the game, but for your life in general.
But sometimes pros still play tournaments to get a boost of positive emotions and win a good pot.
If you haven’t decided which game format to choose: tournaments or cash games, try both. That way, you’ll be sure to choose the right one for you.