Poker cash games and tournaments may follow the same rules, but they require vastly different strategies. In this article, we’ll break down five key differences between cash game and tournament strategy that impact everything from hand selection to risk management. I will helping you adjust your approach for either game to get you maximum success.
You Have As Much Time As You Need
This is the biggest difference between cash game and tournament strategy.
My friends always get excited to play cash games with me. They expect to see big bluffs and exciting plays. I always tell them the same thing. “Guys, you’re going to be pretty bored. Cash games are a different beast. There’s no need for me to bluff if everyone is going to keep calling me.”
If you’re playing $1/$3, then you’re paying $4 for nine hands. That means each hand costs you 44 cents. Your potential profits on any one hand are $300 or $600, depending on how deep you are. Those are some serious implied odds.
You never have to rush anything in a cash game. You always have time. If you take a loss, you can always top up your stack. Your implied odds are always there and you can always make something happen later.
This is different than tournaments. In tournaments, whoever has all the chips at the end of the day gets the lion’s share of the money. This format rewards risk tasking, especially as the blinds keep getting larger and forcing the action.
Cash games are not like this at all. Any chip you acquire is yours to keep if you choose to leave. You don’t have to keep gambling to keep the chips you’ve won. You can always grind the night away.
The Boredom And Variance Will Get You
Nine times out of ten, when someone is losing at $1/$3 or $2/$5 it’s due to a lack of patience.
In tournaments, you have to be an action fighter. You have to love combat. The antes and blinds mean a lot to your stack, so you need to get involved often. This is a key difference between cash game and tournament strategy.
In cash games, the blinds mean almost nothing compared to your stack. You’re like a batter at the plate waiting for the perfect pitch. You get hundreds of strikes before you’re out. You don’t have to swing at anything that doesn’t look good to you, even if it is clipping the strike zone.
This sounds simple in theory, but then you sit for three hours and don’t get to play a single hand. Now, you’re bored and are dying for a dopamine hit. You’re swinging at anything that looks remotely good. Now, you’re on your phone skimming through social media. The focus is gone. The hands you play are mediocre. Your chips are going to someone else’s stack soon.
Table Selection Is 90% Of Your Job in a Cash Game
I cannot stress this enough. Making money is easy in No Limit Hold’em cash if you can pick the right table.
I got on the right table the other night. I looked for action players who were laughing and drinking beer. Sure enough, I was gifted four buy-ins within a quick couple of hours.
However, another night I sat down and no one was making a sound. Every pot was raised, three-bet, or overbet. I made one joke and everyone stared at me.
Why would I ever stay at that table? After one orbit I left. I’m not Jesus. I can’t turn water into wine.
Be vigilant and get to the right table. Know when to walk away. One player can change the entire dynamic. The only person who can make you play is you.
You Can’t Love The Attention
Tournament success will grant you attention, whether you like it or not. This is good if you’re trying to make a name in the poker world, but it’s not necessary if you’re just trying to make money.
Nine times out of ten when I’m walking to the cage after a cash session, my friends will go, “oh wow, you made that much?”
They don’t notice how I’m making my money because I’m not calling attention to myself. If you play with the same people frequently, you don’t want them getting a good idea how you play. You can’t show bluffs and expose you’re a bluffer. You can’t show big folds and show you’re thinking through their ranges. Sure, if it’s a social game with folks you don’t play against regularly, you can do a little of that, but in general you don’t want people knowing anything.
I’ve known cash game players who have made millions off the game. You would have no idea who they were if they walked into a cardroom. They don’t want you knowing who they are and what they’re doing. They’ll take your money, smile, and say they got lucky.
The River Bet Is Everything
How do I make a couple of buy-ins without anyone noticing? I am deliberate with my river bets.
The river bet is always massive. Even 35% pot-sized bets can represent your hourly for the entire night. You never want to rush a river decision.
Don’t just shove all your chips in because you like your hand. Think about their hand. If it’s likely a mediocre pair, then accept reality on reality’s terms and bet smaller. You’re not getting all the chips on this deal.
If you don’t have a good reason to bet large, then bet smaller. Most cash game opponents can’t fold anything when they can reload immediately afterward. You’re not applying pressure like it’s a tournament. You’re never leaving someone short-stacked.
Conclusion on the Difference Between Cash Game and Tournament Strategy
Mastering the differences between cash game and tournament strategy is essential for long-term success. Each format demands a distinct mindset and approach. Whether it’s managing boredom and variance, prioritizing table selection, staying level-headed under pressure, or understanding the power of the river bet, every decision shapes your profitability. Adaptability is key—recognizing these strategic contrasts will help you maximize your edge and thrive in either arena.
Just a note before I go…
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Want to read more from APT Head Pro Alex Fitzgerald? Try his article about the 10 Essential Poker Skills Every Poker Pro Has
