Differences between tournaments and cash games...
Coming from a tournament background, there was a pretty steep learning curve, even for micro-stakes. I still have a long ways to go, but there are a few things that I've come to realize that I hope will help others who are making the transition.
1. Stacksizes - In tournaments, average stacks can be anywhere from 10BB in turbos to 40BB+ in deepstack tourneys. In cash games, you should be coming in with the maximum buy-in every time, usually 100BB on default FR tables. However, a misunderstanding arises where some play cash games much more loosely, especially in position i.e. 24/8 or 20/14. While this can work well at 6-max, FR tables require much tighter play. Play hands the way you would with 20BB left in a tournament.
2. Hand Selection - Here are how I believe one should play their hands at the micros (25NL and below).
a) AA and KK - raise strong regardless of table action. Example: Hero has AA in the SB. UTG raises 4x to 0.40, fold, fold, fold, fold, HJ 3bets to 1.50, everyone else folds. Hero 4bet raises to 5.00.
b) AKs, AKo, QQ, JJ - raise if first in, smooth call out of position, 3bet in position, fold if there is to much action in front. These hands can be very difficult to play when you miss the flop. Usually my line is to cbet in position or call any cbet out of position on any dry board. I then check the turn in position, or raise 3/4 pot if it is checked to me out of position. I am folding the turn if villian double barrels and I am out of position. More on postflop play in future posts.
c) AQs, AJs, AQo, TT, 99, 88 - raise if first in, smooth call regardless of position, fold if there is to much action in front. I do not 3bet these hands because they are easily dominated, but I do call 3bets. Keep in mind that you are not forced to cbet these hands either, nor should you feel pressure to call a cbet if you whiff the flop. These hands can cost one a lot of money in the long run when they are taken to far. More on playing semi-strong hands later.
d) AJo, AT, A9, KQ, QJ, JT, 22-77 - fold unless in LP, then raise 3x. Fold to a 3bet. Play with extreme caution! Same on Cbetting and calling Cbets as above.
e) KJ, KT, K9, QT, Q9, J9, and suited connector or one-gapper - never raise with these hands. Only limp or call from the blinds if you are getting 4:1 or better. If you make top pair, treat it as second pair because of your poor kicker. These are speculative hands and should be played for straight and flush possibilities, not top pair.
f) Everything else fold regardless of position.
3. Aggression - Cash games require much more caution than tournaments. Save money by learning to fold to 3bets, fold to checkraises, and fold to over-the-top bets. At the same time, capitalize on your strong holdings by 3betting, check-raising, and betting over the top.