Cash games vs. tournaments

#1 20th May 2008, 3:00 PM

I can play in a freeroll or buy-in trny, and play for hours to make it into to the $ for a few bucks. Yet, I can play at a cash table and make $30 or more in a couple of hours. I enjoy playing in the tournaments, but it just doesn't seem profitable for my time compared to cash games. Any advice on trny play

#2 21st May 2008, 2:43 PM

Play SnGs if you want to reduce variance in tournament play. MTTs are not about making $30 in a few hours, they are about making ~$0-2 buyins multiple times then having a good tournament and winning a huge amount.

#3 21st May 2008, 3:25 PM

For me tournaments are about finishing 1-3 and making 10xBI+ 10-15% of the time. Cash games are about making 5 BB/100 over the long run. I don't have the time to get into a multitable grind to make cash games really pay off but I can select tournaments where cashing 1-3 will be a nice hourly $$.

#4 21st May 2008, 7:03 PM

i mainly play Tournaments,,aka, MTT`s,, the reason is,, for a small buyin 5 or 10 bucks,, you can get a real good payday for not risking to much money,, also i enjoy MTT`s a lot more than ring games, aka, cash games, guess its the thrill of beating a big field of players,, buck

#5 21st May 2008, 7:53 PM

play heads up tournys can make money real fast on them

#6 21st May 2008, 8:15 PM

Yeah I'm mainly just going to agree with most of what has been said. Tournaments are about being able to handle a high variance for the one huge payday. It also just kind of depends on what you're into. If you want to be able to sit down for just an hour at 1-2 tables then get up and leave and have made some money, then cash games are most likely for you, but if can dedicate a few hours then MTT's are where a lot of the money is.

#7 2nd August 2008, 3:20 PM

I believe that the standard rule of thumb is that you should have a bankroll of about 20 buy-ins for whatever level you are playing, assuming the buy-in is 100bb.

So, IMO, you are seriously underrolled for 1-2, or even .5-1. I would stick to .25-.50 until you have more cash to withstand the variance that is inherent in cash games.

#8 2nd August 2008, 3:53 PM

To me, playing in tournaments is about trying to finish FIRST. Reguardless of if your playing for money or not. I think too many people forget that----Now if your trying to build a hugh bankroll quickly--freerolls are probably not the way to go.

#9 2nd August 2008, 4:21 PM

i like trny play.. its definetly different than ring games.. i prefer it.. just seems more exciting

#10 2nd August 2008, 6:19 PM

Well the difference between the two is how much money you'll be losing. If you lose a tournament compared to cash game the cash game is gonna cost you alot more in the short term, so if you get a cold dead run of cards that 30 dollars you win in a short time can go away in an even shorter amount of time. Tournaments are for longevity (sp?) which take longer, but if you can get a big score will increase your bankroll real fast.

#11 3rd August 2008, 1:41 AM

I really like the SNG's for decent odd returns for less time spent and limiting the liability of a bad beat. I suppose I might win more consistently just playing ring tables, but I like the competitive nature of the tournament table. My favorite game right now is the 10 player bounty SNG! Here I can blow it in the end and still make money.

#12 3rd August 2008, 2:21 AM

i think the game you pick should reflect your personality...if you have tons of patience long mtts are for you...medium patience go with sngs or turbo mtts..limited patience= turbo sngs and cash games... and finally if you have ADD or ADHD play micro limits or play money..or slots ?

#13 3rd August 2008, 4:00 AM

I think that MTTs and SnGs use a similar strategy. Where, ring games require a different kind of play. I tend to play MTT's and SnGs because I feel that I get a better read on what players are communicating with their wagers. However, I'm trying to learn more about cash games. There are many excellent posts here for both types of strategy. In an effort to improve my cash game play, I've recently read some posts from "ChuckTs". He really seams to know what he's talking about.

#14 18th February 2009, 9:39 PM

I have been grining my way at SnG's and .5/.10 cash table.

Be prepared to lose more at cash tables as fortunes(mirco in my case) can change just in a few hands.

MTT's and SnG's are less of a risk and more of a challenge as people were saying.

You really gotta get a feel for what you like better, or mix up your play.

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