Should I start with cash games?

[ykm930]

I'm just a recreational player, so I chose what I like, the tournaments. But recently I've been losing quite the coin flips that playing tourneys rather feels like fishing to me. You wait for the right hand for an hour, eventually all-in (even if I didn't want to), either double up or get knocked out. Might do the same for an extra hour unless you get quite lucky to win multi way pot and become a chip leader. The 'fun' reward for waiting is not enough for me. I've tried playing loose cause of that, but that just kicks me out of the tournament. If I can get enough stacks then maybe I can try to play some flops?

I've tried cash games but felt like it was super repetitive, with no dynamics that tournaments have. Maybe I'm not supposed to play poker at all? XD I'm still interested in the mechanics of poker itself though. What should I do? I think learning poker will bring me the joy, so is the cash game a better choice? or should I stick to tourneys?

 

[wavetune]

I started playing with cash games, I didn't go to tournaments, because with my knowledge I wouldn't have been able to go far in the tournament and it was difficult for me to sit for several hours, it's a matter of taste, in any case, you need to play what you like and read books or watch videos that teach the game, it's like in a profession it takes time to gain practice, after a year or two, no one plays the way they started

 

[puzzlefish]

Maybe I'm not supposed to play poker at all? XD I'm still interested in the mechanics of poker itself though. What should I do? I think learning poker will bring me the joy, so is the cash game a better choice? or should I stick to tourneys?

I would try different type of games to see which one you like the most and then stick with that. There are lots of different variations. Give Omaha a try too.

 

[daniel888]

Maybe you can try Short Deck, it removes some cards so you don't have to wait a long time to have a good hand to play. But because of that you have to fight more postflop and draw hands become stronger.

 

[olfabiolo]

Uma coisa melhor do que o poker é jogar por dinheiro.

 

[INISHTE]

Tournaments have more excitement. Since I have a little more money, I tried to get into the cash games, but it's another level, besides losing 2 dollars still hurts me, maybe I'll try again later, but next time, at least I'll open 4 cash game tables, to give you more excitement. 😅

 

[akgross]

You don't have to quit poker. You need to play with a good mood and a clear head. You don't have dynamics because you didn't understand the discipline. You will start winning cash games by understanding the opponent's game and you will have a taste for the game. Play cash games and tournaments based on your free time and find your discipline.

 

[June4Spades]

It is a whole different game, repetitive, as you said, but that can also be a chance in learning to play consistently. I would give it a try. Just start with the smallest stakes.

 

[lyki67]

I think that you need much money for cash games. Real cash game is, for me, if you play with BB of many dollars and even more. I don't have this money, so I play tourneys, Tournaments are good. I always learn something new.

 

[Madalin Poke]

If you want fast profits you can try cash games but don't forget that just as fast as that you can lose significant amounts of money either. Cash games can be as delicious as they are bitter for your pocket. If you are a balanced player who knows the limits of your own budget then it is okay, you can play cash games not to worry about that but if you get angry quickly and you can't control your stops after a couple of bad beats then I don't recommend it.

I think buy-in tournaments are perfect for everyone and for a wide variety of budgets. You can gradually learn the game, you can improve your skills step by step, you can learn how to adapt your style depending on the other players style and you can finally earn some big profits in time.

Know your limits guys, wish y'all a good day!

 

[Tigroslav]

Stick to tourneys but choose the ones with slow blind levels and a nice starting chip count.
That will help greatly reduce the above scenarios and you will learn a lot more.
Once you feel confident in your game include cash games in your repertoire.

 

[Rob Hobson]

I recommend to play both (cash and tourneys). But if you like tournaments best, play it more than cash. If you are really a beginner, play micro stakes cash games ($0.01/$0.02 won't make you poor or rich but give you reasonable experience to increase gradually) and freerolls tournaments. One complement the other. The more you play, you get your skill development feeling. In parallel read good poker books, like David Sklansky's, for example and CC lessons and tips (there are many). Good luck.
And always remember “Poker takes five minutes to learn but a lifetime to master.” – Mike Sexton

 

[messats]

I'm just a recreational player, so I chose what I like, the tournaments. But recently I've been losing quite the coin flips that playing tourneys rather feels like fishing to me. You wait for the right hand for an hour, eventually all-in (even if I didn't want to), either double up or get knocked out. Might do the same for an extra hour unless you get quite lucky to win multi way pot and become a chip leader. The 'fun' reward for waiting is not enough for me. I've tried playing loose cause of that, but that just kicks me out of the tournament. If I can get enough stacks then maybe I can try to play some flops?

I've tried cash games but felt like it was super repetitive, with no dynamics that tournaments have. Maybe I'm not supposed to play poker at all? XD I'm still interested in the mechanics of poker itself though. What should I do? I think learning poker will bring me the joy, so is the cash game a better choice? or should I stick to touhonestly i would say st

Honestly I would say stick to what you feel comfortable with, since you mentioned that you are a recreational player, cash games could be fun, since there is no long term commitment like tourneys, on the other hand if you do have the free time available, to improve you game id advise playing some tourneys, you learn things like information collecting, verifying which players are aggressive passive, their betting patterns, paid with the hands to have, there's so much you can learn, it teaches you patience, help negate tilt etc.

 

[mina271]

You should play what you enjoy and maybe you just have a look to see if there are other variants that you enjoy more than just Holdem.

 

[Andyreas]

It depends on what sort of tournaments you play and with how many opponents.

I tend to have better results with single or multi table SNGs. Here the players are limited to 45 players, so you have a good balance with entry fee and probability to win.

What I don't like about cash games is that you have quite a few maniacs with low buyins and they can re-enter as often as they want. With SNGs that's limited.

 

[Alexey Shley]

Everyone likes it, if you don't like MTT, you can try your hand at cash games. But since at first, before playing poker, I watched a video by Gleb Tremzin where he recommended not to play cash games for beginners in any case, it is best to play MTT if you have money. MTT will bring more benefits, and the approach to MTT will be different. If you don't like sitting around for a long time, you can try short games or turbo tournaments.

 

[manzanillo53]

Tournament poker was just a way to get my feet wet. Cash & T poker are not the same, the thinking is very different as are the players. Free and low stakes poker are not the same as high stakes poker either, They all require different mind sets, so do not be fooled by thinking you can play the same in each game. At first I played T games just to get the hang of it without loosing a ton of cash. Now I am more into cash games. Low or free T Games you play for hours just to win 50c at the bubble. Cash games I can get $1 in 10 min, I may loose it also, but therein lies the excitement.

 

[ACE448]

I've deposited a small amount and mainly play cash games for an hour or so when I have time. I do enjoy tournaments, they add more fun to the game. However, as you eluded to, there comes a point when you need to play hands that you perhaps wouldn't in cash games. It's all part of the tactics and strategy though. If you can play them right, you can win a few big hands and have the comfort of sitting back. 45 player tournaments do allow you to find your feet whereas quick sit-n-go styles feel very rushed to me, with blinds increasing very quickly. Get yourself on the freerolls if you haven't already...they teach great discipline and feels more like real money than a play money game.

 

[wlad20082009]

Я начал с турниров. Все таки шанс что-то выиграть больше чем в кеш играх. Конечно, это занимает больше времени, но и больше динамики, больше возможностей в игре.

 

[vapandrei]

Well, if you have the patience to wait out on tourneys, you surely have the patience to play tight in rings and scoop some profit along the way.

 

[MishkaZL]

Personally, I prefer tournaments. Cash games have always been very difficult for me and brought me only losses. But of course you have to make this important decision for yourself.

 

[pavel1111111]

NO...start by playing tournaments with small buy-ins and see from there , don't rush ...it is time to get there , but take it step by step so you will not be influnce by the bad beats and loses ...to those calm and relax

 

[Lipki3]

In cash games, the variance is several times less than in MTTs, so if losing 10-20 tournaments in a row somehow hits the nervous system, then it makes sense to try to play cash games.

 

[Dellamora999]

My tip is: if you like tournaments, study, specialize in them, if you want to be more than a recreational player. I'll use myself as an example, I've always liked spins or bounty games but to play them I needed to deposit and I didn't want that.
So I decided that I would focus on freeroll tournaments and with time, study and effort I managed to win prizes in some to start building my bankroll, I played the spins a lot later but after winning a lot and then losing a lot I saw that I had gotten better at tournaments than spins and I'm rebuilding the bankroll. I still want to be professional, and that's the focus.

 

[MrPokerVerse]

Strictly was an MTT player for years. All my focus was on that format being NLHE. All off table study, books and videos were MTT. Once I was comfortable with and had more success, tried cash games. Different strategy and tactics. Looks like were you are at now, you might focus on the one you enjoy more to be proficient at it. Can always move over to the other when you fill you are there on the one.