What is the basic "strategy" of Cash games?

So i had an argument with my step dad about the fundamental concept of cash games, or even all poker IMO. So my theory is that you want to get your money in when its the best every time % wise, and in the end you should come out a winner, right?

Its as simple as this to me, even though the past couple months it has not been like this to me. I have been getting my money in when its best (id say usually at least 70%+ of the time when the cards are shown and its not just folded to me) but i run up across that one hand where i get the beat, and lose big. (IE my last hand in vegas, i got a guy to put all his chips in pre flop with cowboys and i had rockets, and he spiked a K on the turn)

ok, but anyways, let me know if im just completly off. im a tourney player 100%, but im trying to get better on the cash games, so i would like some insight. thanks

Dioptrics said:

So i had an argument with my step dad about the fundamental concept of cash games, or even all poker IMO. So my theory is that you want to get your money in when its the best every time % wise, and in the end you should come out a winner, right?

Its as simple as this to me, even though the past couple months it has not been like this to me. I have been getting my money in when its best (id say usually at least 70%+ of the time when the cards are shown and its not just folded to me) but i run up across that one hand where i get the beat, and lose big. (IE my last hand in vegas, i got a guy to put all his chips in pre flop with cowboys and i had rockets, and he spiked a K on the turn)

ok, but anyways, let me know if im just completly off. im a tourney player 100%, but im trying to get better on the cash games, so i would like some insight. thanks

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Sounds to me like you are paying off their implied odds when they suck out. If you are getting it in best on the turn, and don't call their river value bet when you get passed, you should be profitable. If for instance a pot is $4, and you have two-pair, and put your opponent on a flush draw since there is a 3-flush on board--you should be betting enough to profit from the missed flush draw. I.e. $1.50 or more would be a great bet, since your opponent is not getting correct odds to call. That is, unless you plan on paying off his value bet of $3 on the river when he makes his flush. Then you are giving him implied odds of $7 for his $1.50.

If you are getting him all in preflop with KK against your AA, losing is just bad luck. Cash games, you should love that, since you are getting paid off 4 out of 5 times.

The basic strategy in cash games is to make plays that will make you the most money in the long run. Although getting money in good is one way, another way is to make opponents fold too much.

I agree with zachvac, there are many ways to be profitable in cash games. Personally I like to get involved in lots of hands and take advantage of betting mistakes, like opponents c-betting into my two pair or set or getting weak players to give up on a hand way too early. Taking your time and knowing the styles on play you are up against are most important. Once you know what you are up against, opportunities will present themselves all the time. Knowing when you are in over your head and not being afraid to walk is important too. Just get in there and grind and you`ll see that most of the profitable decisions are not made preflop.

another issue is getting into games that are proper for your bankroll so you feel comfortable... some people play a lot tighter and will not call big bests with good hands because they do not have a big bank roll and a high % of their money is in the game.. you have to make sure you are playing the same type of good poker

There's no way KK is folding to any bet preflop. It's just not a sound strategy. Too bad if you have rockets and they spike their set while you miss. Thats just poker.

for every bet you put in, you expect some sort of positive return on that bet