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Tournament vs. Cash Play

When deciding to play poker you have to choose whether you want to be a tournament or cash player. Many people can play both games; however, it is important to realize early in your poker career which element of the game you want to focus the most on. This does not mean that just because you concentrate on tournaments that you cannot play cash games, its just increases a players chance of winning if he/she selects one game play of specialty.


This article will explain some of the differences that are present in a cash style game and a tournament style game. I won't focus so much on strategy for the game styles as I will on the traits of each one, and the skills that you need to posses to play them. Hopefully this article will help you choose which game style you would like to play according to what fits your skills and desires.


The biggest differences between a tournament and cash game is the option of rebuying in. In a cash scenario, a player is given the opportunity to keep purchasing more chips until he/she are out of money or loans. This allows players more chances, and the possibility of playing more hands and seeing more flops. Because of this factor, it is important to realize that when you are playing in a cash game most of your opponents will be playing a lot looser then if they were in a tournament. Furthermore, watch out for players fishing for straights and flushes, and avoid slow playing unless you really have a monster. The reason for the loose play is that there is no lingering thought on your opponents mind that if they lose this hand and all their chips that they cannot buy back into the game. This is something to watch out for in cash games; however, if knowing you can buy back in makes players play loose, then knowing you can not buy back in makes them play tight.


It is this aspect of tournament play that I find to be the most intriguing part of the game. Some tournaments have the option of one rebuy, yet in the tournaments that don't, players fear the fact that an all-in situation can mean elimination for them. It is for this reason that a player who normally plays in cash games and then suddenly enters into a tournament will most likely decide to put their chips in on a draw. A key point in tournaments, is knowing that at any moment you can have to make a decision for all your chips, but if you are the player who bets first then the tides have turned on your opponents.


Explaining more about these strategic tactics will be an upcoming article on tournament play in each of games. For now though, it is important for all those beginner players to choose whether or not they want to play in a situation where its either do or die, of if they want to play in the exciting and fast paced cash games. Both game styles are equally intriguing and exhilarating, but every player leans towards one game style. Some say that tournaments are the only way to play, and that the consequence or reward of eliminating or being eliminated is the most exciting. Others believe that cash games are the best way to go, since that is where the game originated, playing in saloons and taverns for money and not in tournaments. It's truly a personal opinion that some players don't come to until they have experienced both situations, but no matter which one you choose, you will always be able to enjoy the greatness of poker.


After you have decided which game style you wish to play, you have to choose what limits to abide by. Soon to come will be articles discussing the basics behind low limit, pot limit, and no limit poker games.