Cash games: advantages and disadvantages 6-max 9-max

JhonnyThe357

JhonnyThe357

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  • #1
Good evening, everyone.

I am passionate about cash games; that's how I learned to play poker, and I prefer it for several advantages, especially mobility — you can log out whenever you want and especially when you need it.
For those who play cash games, the question is: do you prefer tables with 6 or 9 at most?
I think that each format has its advantages.

6-max is generally more dynamic. Because the blinds arrive faster and there are fewer players, you have to open more hands, defend the blinds more, and deal with fringe situations more often. It's a format that requires a lot of post-flop play and generally appeals to those who like action.

9-max, on the other hand, allows for a more patient game. The initial selection of the hand becomes even more important, there are fewer marginal confrontations and, in my opinion, it is a great environment for those who value discipline and wait for more favorable positions.

Ultimately, neither of them is 'best'. It depends a lot on your style. Some players perform much better by constantly pressing on 6-max, while others can extract more value playing solid poker on 9-max.

And you? Do you prefer to play with 6 or 9 players? And, more importantly: why?
 
JhonnyThe357

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  • #2
It's worth remembering the aspect of mandatory blinds, which you naturally pay more often at a smaller, faster-moving table.
That is, in the 6-max format, you pay more often and more frequently, since hands are resolved much more quickly.
 
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fundiver199

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  • #3
When I was a cash game grinder, I tended to prefer 9-max, because I had better results there, and the tables dont break so easily. The issue with 6-max is, that often the whole game is centered around one fish, and when he leave, the table break down forcing you to find another one. However after having played tournaments for several years, I find traditional 9-max cash games quite boring, since they require really tight ranges in many situations. So I think, they need to be spiced up with either an ante or a 3-blind structure to basically force people to play more hands.
 
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stampide

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  • #4
I like 6-max more
 
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JhonnyThe357

JhonnyThe357

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  • #5
fundiver199 said:
When I was a cash game grinder, I tended to prefer 9-max, because I had better results there, and the tables dont break so easily. The issue with 6-max is, that often the whole game is centered around one fish, and when he leave, the table break down forcing you to find another one. However after having played tournaments for several years, I find traditional 9-max cash games quite boring, since they require really tight ranges in many situations. So I think, they need to be spiced up with either an ante or a 3-blind structure to basically force people to play more hands.
I prefer 9-max as well, for a number of reasons…
 
antonis32123

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  • #6
I always liked 9 max . Then some 9 max zoom tables I liked to play were stopped , so I had to play 6 max , learn to play 6 max . I still learn , it's harder to me , more demanding ,
 
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