absoluthamm
<==Poker Face
Silver Level
Yes. I have actually never heard someone say that you have to learn cash games before you play tournaments. Cash game poker and tournament poker have completely different strategies. Actually, the people that think that they are one and the same and treat them like that are the ones who will be consistent losers(probably at both). If you're just starting out, just focus on one, then as you become more proficient, if you want to change gears and try out the other, then go ahead, just remember that there is a difference.
billyjustin
Enthusiast
Silver Level
There is a big difference in the two. Being good at cash games does not translate in being good at tournaments, and vice a versa. I am a much more accomplished cash game player, and i am good at tournaments, but the two I have to play completely different if I want to make a deep run.
VIVInv
Enthusiast
Silver Level
P
PotluckXXI
Visionary
Silver Level
+1
P
ph0n3_j4ck
Rock Star
Silver Level
Tournaments is definitely about the pre-flop game. it definitely matters where your position is though. As long as you have position, you should be in good shape. Cash games generally mess up your tourny game. Never play the two at the same time lol.
Arjonius
Legend
Silver Level
Deep stack tournament strategy has more similarity to cash game play, so if you're talking about "normal" online tournament stacks, the differences can be quite pronounced. However, it's an exaggeration to say cash and MTT are "completely" different. For example, you'll become more profitable in both by improving your ability to assess your opponents' styles and tendencies, and to adjust your play accordingly when suitable occasions arise.
micromachine
Legend
Silver Level
The short answer is....YES
But if you are good at cash games too and can appreciate the differences, then your cash game experience will help you in tourneys, especially deep stacked tourneys where post-flop skill becomes important.
B
BlueNowhere
Legend
Silver Level
Presuming you are not a rank amateur I'd say no you don't need to learn to play both. I played cash games when I first started just to get a feel for it and created a decent static hand range. I then moved onto tournies which I enjoy much more and changed my stratergy completely to fit them. I don't play both though as |toruney play breeds bad tendancies. 250BB deep and I'll be jumping for joy at getting it in with AKs, see someone who is less than 20 bb deep raise from lp I take it as a steal and re-pop them. Probably actually better if you don't learn them both as you get bad habits. Same can be said for a cash player playing a tourney. Calling when slightly ahead and not considering ICM.
Just concentrate on one I'd say.
Just concentrate on one I'd say.
K
k9hearts
Rising Star
Bronze Level
I think the biggest difference between cash games and tournaments is that in tournaments you have to take risks by stealing blinds that you would never take in cash games. Also, people respect your raises less in tournaments too though, so it becomes a pretty sticky situation. I think that cash games are better overall, because it gives the donks less advantage, so i would go ahead and learn the game first before busting into tournaments
micromachine
Legend
Silver Level
Love it! That is so true though, one of the first MTTs I played I came 7th out of 800 runners, and I didn't have a clue what I was doing. Just won all the flips and draws I needed to. Only didn't win it because I was so clueless I let myself get blinded out
A
Aldito
Legend
Silver Level
T
tcummo
Visionary
Silver Level
Play what you enjoy the most.
I hardly ever play cash because I think
tourny's and sng's are more exciting and fun.
there is a climax and a good 'buzz' when you win a tourny or sng,
whereas cash games is just about showing a profit.
to each his own.
gl
I hardly ever play cash because I think
tourny's and sng's are more exciting and fun.
there is a climax and a good 'buzz' when you win a tourny or sng,
whereas cash games is just about showing a profit.
to each his own.
gl
D
dlam
Visionary
Silver Level
What is considered a deep stack tournament?
the ones i've played online (no rebuys)start with everyone at 75xBB chips.
I think that is deep enough.
Why would anyone want to steal blinds in a cash game?
I think it depends on the structure of the tournament.Yeah...absolutely no skill involved in tournament poker whatsoever
longer run tournaments where everyone has a deep stack and slow moving blinds require some skill whereas coin flip tournaments (trying to finish the tournament as fast as possible with rapidly increasing blinds) requires less skill.
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Poker Orifice
Fully Tilted
Platinum Level
Very first night I played online, very first game I entered - - took down 2nd place of ~900+ runners. (although it was the 'Fergadonk on FTP'.. $1 buyin... but the $114 cash from a $1 buyin had me hooked, lol).Yeah...absolutely no skill involved in tournament poker whatsoever
A saying that goes something like > Tournaments are like lotteries.. but the better players are showing up with more tickets.
2
2GoAllIn
Rising Star
Bronze Level
+2
If you can learn the players around you, the chance of cashing out raises. They are watching you as well. If you have a regular cash game you are able to play in with some regular players, and have the opportunity to also watch them tournament style, you will see a change when it comes to betting. Always watch and learn the players around you. That 1 player might not change a thing from 1 to the other because he knows his opponents’ already!!
micromachine
Legend
Silver Level
Standard is to start with 1500 chips and blinds of 10/20
Deep-stack would be 3000 or more starting chips with the same blind structure
micromachine
Legend
Silver Level
It adds up to a lot over 100K hands
People steal the blinds in cash games. If you don't do it too you are continuously leaking money.
micromachine
Legend
Silver Level
Even the speed/turbo tourneys require some degree of skill to consistently win at, you have to be able to pick your spots well. The point wasn't that there is no skill involved in tournament poker, more that it is possible for terrible players to win tournaments.
D
dan abnormal
Legend
Platinum Level
AHH, I see a big problem when I play live. I usually go an hour or 2 before a MTT starts and figure Ill warm up with some cash game. First off I dont feel too sharp when starting an MTT after I do this. 2nd if I lost some cash, Im already a little mad when the MTT starts. 3rd if I get deep live I find myself yawning as some of these 8pm start time might end at 2or 3 in morning if your DEEEEP.
But after reading a few thread here like this, Im gonna just stick with one game right now and deicded it wil be MTT's since like one live player told me. Just stick with MTTs right now and you know how much youre in for and it wont change as opposed to cash game where I havent grown a set to be able to stomache some of these big cash raises LOL(as someone told me quite a stake jump from .02/.04 or .05/.10 online to $1/$2 live) but also I gotta quit this switching from NL and PLO ring to x2 SNGs to MTTs all day long just switching around
But after reading a few thread here like this, Im gonna just stick with one game right now and deicded it wil be MTT's since like one live player told me. Just stick with MTTs right now and you know how much youre in for and it wont change as opposed to cash game where I havent grown a set to be able to stomache some of these big cash raises LOL(as someone told me quite a stake jump from .02/.04 or .05/.10 online to $1/$2 live) but also I gotta quit this switching from NL and PLO ring to x2 SNGs to MTTs all day long just switching around
absoluthamm
<==Poker Face
Silver Level
LMAO, you obviously either don't play cash games or are an ATM.
J
jsaw
Rock Star
Silver Level
As others have said there is a big difference between tourneys and cash games, but there is also a huge difference in type of tourneys. The quicker the blinds increase relative to the starting stack the faster you have to play and your starting hand range has to widen or you will (unless really lucky) blind off. Thus if you are playing a deep stacked tourney with 15-20 minute levels you can play fairly slowly with a tighter range, but with 6 minute levels and a starting stack of 1000 chips you are pretty much in a crap shoot and will have to take some chances to stay alive.