What do I do, Tournaments vs Cash Game?

Ok here's my problem
I usually just play NL Holdem and I love playing tournaments. I get more of a thrill winning 10 bucks in a tournament than I do winning 100 in a cash game. The problem is, I rarely cash in a tournament and probably 80% I come out ahead in a cash game. It does not matter if its live or on line, same results. And I tighten up my game a bunch when I play a tournament and even concentrate on the game much more. I have read tons of stuff and watched videos ect and while my cash game improves, my tournament game stays the same. So, do I give up the tournaments and just play cash games or should I try playing some tournaments more like I play my cash games?
Any info will be greatly appreciated
Thanks

How about a happy medium? Play 6 handed SNGs.

If you cash more with cash games then you should play them more...
If you would like to play more tournements keep on practicing and learning!
You need more luck in tournements than in cash games, that´s why you probably do not improve so much...

Play whatever makes you the most content afterward.

I've spent thousands of dollars plugging quarters into video games and buying console games and accessories knowing full well that I would get zero financial return for my investment. Paying to play was worth it. I don't think "Man if I had invested that money in a CD or the stock market I'd have a substantial nest egg."

If the sole reason you play poker is to make money, ring games seem to be the obvious choice.
If the sole reason you play poker is for strictly entertainment value, tournaments are the obvious choice.

Only you can figure out what your optimal balance of financial reward to entertainment value is. But taking the less profitable (or even unprofitable) route is not a failure if the enjoyment outweighs the financial cost.

I'm in the same boat... I suck at tourneys but I'm a pretty dangerous cash game player. My style is better suited towards deepstack play which doesn't work out well in tourneys. I think most poker players excel at either one or the other... few can master both.

I'd suggest investing more time in smaller tourneys...it's better to get some satisfaction from time spent if not it seems like a waste of time and energy...the plus side of it is that eventually you'll work you way up the ranks in larger tourneys...and thats where the money is..

Maybe it's establishing a mindset identifying 'work' and 'pleasure' - or maybe even separating them in a manner of speaking.

I also prefer MTT's over rings, but I make more money playing rings. When I really feeling like cashing, then I 'work' at it with ring play.

When I find an MTT I 'want' to play, it's more exciting, making it seem less like 'work'. Rings are my 'work' - while MTT's are my 'hobby'. I know I can make money playing cash games, but the wins and cashes at the MTT's are the 'pleasure'.

Best of both worlds ...

I definitly say dont give up on tournaments. Maybe switch the way you play tournaments and make it different then the play you play cash games at least when u play tournaments you are usaully not putting a lot of money at stake, and you start off the same as everyone else which i think is also importent. so i would say deep doing tournaments like lttle 6 or 9 man sit and go's.

Yup,
Definately stick to the ring game for the cash...but for the fun, change the way you play in the tourney. One of the biggest differences between ring game adn tournament is that you need to change your playing style continously during a tournament based on who far into it is. You can't win a tournament in the first hand but you can sure lose it!!!! You've got to start off slow in the begining, and gradually build your stack. As your stack builds you have to put shorter stacks on hard decisions. As you get close to the money, the field will tighten up as everyone waits for someone to make the mistake that puts them out of the tournament. This is a great time to steal blinds!!! And not to be too obvious, if you go bust in a ring game you can buy more chips....in tournament play, when you're done you're done, and done buns can't be undone. This will make players be more cautious when you put them in an all in position on a draw. Hope this helps.

Try the 90 player KO tourneys on ft, that way even if you don't make it to the final table and money, you're playing the type of game you like. you can also recover some if not all entry fee by knocking others out.

if you have money in cash I think you should play cash game since it takes so much as takes a tour .... you can make money in 5 .. 10 minutes when a tournament in which 100 people registered and may take 2 hours! so my advice cash game!

I like what BDDP said about needing to change styles continuously in tournaments. Maybe that's why fish like me don't do so well in tournaments 99% of the time. We have no variety in play, and either play too tight or too loose at different times, and can get pressured easily! The tables keep changing, and it becomes mind-boggling.

What is your Goal?

Cash:
Play Cash Games.

Pleasure:
Play Tournaments.


If you Love to play Tournaments:
Learn to improve on your Tournament play.

If you like to play Big Stack Poker:
Take more chances at the beginning of the Tournament.
Create that Stack and then Play your game.

Good Luck at the Tables.


Roller:
Enjoy every hand and feel the Adrenaline Rush of the Big Win.

Thanks all, I appreciate it.

As said above, mix it up. MTT are fun, but you need to have the time, cant just quit halfway, thats not good EV. And you cant expect to win them that often, but once you do it might be a big boost.

Wow, I can take a lot of advice from this as well. I'm kind of in the same boat. I like playing heads up and have been profitable, but I like playing MTT as well but rarely cash in them.

Well I have been doing a lot of reading on here and other places and watching some vids and my tournament play seems to be improving. I cashed in two tournaments sunday. The 5.50 rebuy,(did not rebuy or add on) and the 10cents rebuy(rebought once early, did not add on). Didn't make alot of money, but it built my spirits about my tournament play. So I played a couple SNGs last night and got taken out on the bubble because I was an IDIOT,(I should of been slapped) and then got third in the next one. So things seem to be getting better and I am not so discouraged about my tournament play. Thanks again all, I appreciate all the input.

I find that with a smaller banroll (less than $200) it's better to play tournaments (SnG's), trying to fight the swings at the micro ring games can be a huge exercise in patience.

I fought micro ring games both fixed limit and no limit for several weeks before I decided to play the micro SnG's and my bankroll loves me for it. At some point I will switch back to cash games.. probably when my bankroll hits about $500 (at about $150 now). I may even do 6-max at that point.. I haven't decided yet.. but I think the micro limit cash games (1c/2c, 2c/5c) is just too frustrating.

or get urself at a comfortable br by playing and winning at cash games, then treat yourself with a tournament either that day after you have a winning session (For not feeling burnout you should have a break in between tho), or the next day. That will keep you motivated to win and have fun at the same time.

sounds like a economics question on utility here.

play cash to fund your MTTs?

I started off with low limit sit n go's and mutli-table tournaments. I believe to find and refine your game, this would be the best way to go to minimize my losses and investment. You can easily get a big hit on your bankroll if you're trying to find your game with cash games. Even at the micro-limit levels. Once you have found your game, you can now try it out in the cash games.

ive been playing a long time and trust me cash play is where its at. Just make sure you practice proper bankroll management or u will go roll dead fast. GL man

First off great question. I am also a MTT guy 1st but I am very anal about Bankroll management. What I do is supplement my Bankroll with Cash game play and win enough to stay where I would like it at. ANd than buy in to tourneys with it. I am a better than average Cash Game player and about Break even Tourney Player. Understanding that Tournaments are all about VOLUME.. How many you can play is the Key. Dont beleive me google Shaun Deeb...

Donkey Smash