In the long run is it better starting out on cash games instead of sit and gos?

I was thinking of starting out on 6-9 table sit and goe micro turbos with a bankroll of 30 games say, but I have read that being a good cash game playing online is more profitable these days, is this true? what do people think ?

Would it be better to be a cash game player from the start?
Cheers Toby.

Generally speaking, yes, cash games are typically more profitable and are usually easier to actually BE a winning player at. Single-table SnGs (STTs) are probably the hardest form to be continually profitable at. You can expect huge swings and will need to study tons and tons to ever move-up from the very lowest stakes and still remain profitable. Having said all that, I do play them from time-to-time simply because I enjoy them.

That's not something that should be underestimated, imo. If you enjoy them more, and are therefore willing to put in lots more effort than you would studying cash; then they may be the best way for you. But, for most people, cash is simply easier to be routinely profitable at. Another option that you may consider is Multi-table SnGs, or just regular MTTs, but I have little experience in those, so I really don't want to advise you one way or another on that.

I think it depends more on what you are like as a player yourself. For the vast majority of people, they are natually better at one structure than the other.

If you haven't experienced either, I'd personally recommened you starting with cash, only because it will improve your game overall and will make you a better player in general as you are for the most part playing "real" 100bb> poker.

I've played both formats and I still enjoy playing both, however I think cash is a lot better and more profitable too, you can climb the limits a lot quicker in cash than in SnG's in my experience.

I think both ways work well. By beginning with sng´s you go from easy poker (less post flop play and so on) to harder poker and if you start with cash games, you will learn more "real" poker from the beginning, thats good in the long run. And last but not least the early stages in mtts or sngs are similiar to cash games..

It really does vary from person to person. For me SnGs are way more profitable than cash. Just experiment and see what you prefer and go form there.

BlueNowhere said:

It really does vary from person to person. For me SnGs are way more profitable than cash. Just experiment and see what you prefer and go form there.

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+1. I personally starting playing freeroll tournaments to learn the game, so I am much more comfortable with tournaments and sit and go's than I am with cash games.

I personally prefer cash games... I always WIN

If you're just starting out, I'd suggest micro SNG (Single table, 9-mans, regular stucture (not Turbo)).
I think these would be the easiest to learn how to play them.

Then take some time to play the lowest limits (2nl) cash game. Put in maybe 5-10,000 hands & then you'll have an idea and can make a decision from there as far as which format you think you'd like to pursue.

Whatever you decide, you're best off sticking to just 'one' format for awhile (don't jump around from one to the other.... it'll keep you from progressing at the one).
If you choose SNG-STT, maybe branch out to playing the 18-man's, or 27-man's (personally I think this is where the money is to be made in micro sng's, but I'd suggest getting a decent foundation playing the SingleTable (9man) format first).

gl

Thanks for all the info guys.
Iv played sit gos before at different levels but never with a bank roll before. I did ok but it wasn't taken that seriously to be honest. I known the normal kwho, play tight early and open up your range as the blinds get higher and how to play against different stack sizes . Iv read alot about people playing looser from the begaining making it easer to get paid when you do get a hand or the nuts! This sounds good to me as alot of players must be playing the tighter meth because, well its easier.
Correct me if i'm wrong with that?
This might sound silly lol but having a bankroll in cash tables, say its 150dollars what level would people reconmend to go on?
Cheers again .

WOOGPKR said:

This might sound silly lol but having a bankroll in cash tables, say its 150dollars what level would people reconmend to go on?
Cheers again .

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With $150 you're rolled for 5nl but if you're a cash game noob just start at the lowest level and see if you can beat it first.

What site are you playing on?

pokerstars, doing it in a couple of weeks

I think cash games are easiest to beat because you can afford the luxury of the blinds not increasing. Luck is not as big of a factor in cash games as it is in tournaments or in sit and gos.

It's not true of everyone, but over the long haul, it's likely you'll make more playing what you enjoy more. It's not just a matter of win rate. Other factors can come into play; e.g. you're likely to put more study into a game you like more.

Also, it's not necessarily all about playing the game where you have the highest win rate. The differential may or may not be subjectively "worth it" to you. In my case, I definitely prefer tournaments, so I play them a lot more even though my hourly rate is higher for cash.

Overall, I think cash games is more profitable game than sit'n'gos, but you need to play the type of game you like more. If in the future you want to be a sit'n'go player, I would say to you already start playing and study sit'n'gos.

I beleive cash games are harder to win at than tournaments. The lower the number of bbs you have can make decisions easier. If you enjoy tournament play there should be plenty of freerolls to start with if you really are just starting out, and low buyin tourneys on stars. Why not try these until youre comfortable and winning before heading to the $1.50 sitngos or $2nl.

i perfer the cash games to the SNG, alot more fish in the sea