Transitioning from tournaments to cash

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First and foremost, it's a different kind of game.
2nd there are many more nits in cash games.
There are many differences. Too many to list.
One other thing, sometimes the smallest change in your game can make a big difference.
 
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I'm passionate about cash games; that's how I learned to play poker, and I prefer it for several advantages, mainly the flexibility—I leave whenever I want and especially when I need to.
 
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I’ve always focused more on cash games, from the start, but now with so many freeroll tournaments and also with the real chance of winning, I’m going to start dedicating myself to studying MTTs a bit.
 
When I play cash games, I play a little tighter.. They players are more serious, I mean it is cash!
 
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edenman1 said:
When I play cash games, I play a little tighter.. They players are more serious, I mean it is cash!
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but, 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.
 
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edenman1 said:
When I play cash games, I play a little tighter.. They players are more serious, I mean it is cash!
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Do you widen your range when playing at a 6-max table?
 
I hate playing online cash games; I just don't trust it. I don't want to play against bots or players using real-time solvers; that's just not my thing, unfortunately.Not to mention the online collusion that is thriving.
 
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stil370 said:
First and foremost, it's a different kind of game.
2nd there are many more nits in cash games.
There are many differences. Too many to list.
One other thing, sometimes the smallest change in your game can make a big difference.
Click to expand...
Totally agree — it really is a different game. In tournaments we often play the stacks and survival, while in cash games we play pure EV on every street. And the nits you are talking about are real: in cash games, tight-passive regs can be very profitable to exploit if you know how to identify them quickly. The point about small adjustments is underestimated — sometimes just changing your 3-bet sizing or your opening range in early position changes the entire winrate.
 
JhonnyThe357 said:
I'm passionate about cash games; that's how I learned to play poker, and I prefer it for several advantages, mainly the flexibility—I leave whenever I want and especially when I need to.
Click to expand...
Flexibility is indeed one of the great advantages of cash games — being able to get up when you are tired or tilted is a discipline in itself that protects the bankroll. What you describe about learning through cash games is interesting too: it forces you to work on the fundamentals without the pressure of the rising blind structure. Do you mainly play live or online?
 
In cash games any mistake can cost you a lot . I feel many times por committed in bad situations where I was lured into , I feel I have to play all chips , win or lose . I like tourneys more ,.ore players in a hand , better chances to play against a very weak player , more chances to win if you lose (specially in early stages of a tourney )
 
I agree. The biggest adjustment for me was realizing that chips don't increase in value like they do in tournaments. In cash games, you can be much more patient and don't have to worry about ICM or blinds constantly going up. It definitely took me a while to stop thinking like a tournament player.
 
Switching from tournaments to cash games means changing your mindset from survival to maximizing EV on every hand. Focus on solid fundamentals, exploit opponents, and be patient, since long-term consistency matters more than big individual wins.
 
JhonnyThe357 said:
I’ve always focused more on cash games, from the start, but now with so many freeroll tournaments and also with the real chance of winning, I’m going to start dedicating myself to studying MTTs a bit.
Click to expand...
good luck! the transition can take a little time. Doug Polk has a great article on mtts that is really great. see the link
7 Poker Tournament Tips for Running Deep More Often
 
JhonnyThe357 said:
I'm passionate about cash games; that's how I learned to play poker, and I prefer it for several advantages, mainly the flexibility—I leave whenever I want and especially when I need to.
Click to expand...
Completely agree. Def one of the reasons i wanted to change over. Playing in 5 hour tournament isn't so great for me.
 
JhonnyThe357 said:
but, 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.
Click to expand...
On most days I prefer the 6 max myself.
 
dreamer13 said:
I hate playing online cash games; I just don't trust it. I don't want to play against bots or players using real-time solvers; that's just not my thing, unfortunately.Not to mention the online collusion that is thriving.
Click to expand...
cant argue with that.
 
flamenkit154 said:
Totally agree — it really is a different game. In tournaments we often play the stacks and survival, while in cash games we play pure EV on every street. And the nits you are talking about are real: in cash games, tight-passive regs can be very profitable to exploit if you know how to identify them quickly. The point about small adjustments is underestimated — sometimes just changing your 3-bet sizing or your opening range in early position changes the entire winrate.
Click to expand...
You touched on alot of good stuff there.
 
flamenkit154 said:
Flexibility is indeed one of the great advantages of cash games — being able to get up when you are tired or tilted is a discipline in itself that protects the bankroll. What you describe about learning through cash games is interesting too: it forces you to work on the fundamentals without the pressure of the rising blind structure. Do you mainly play live or online?
Click to expand...
fundamentals come first especially in a cash game.
Ya know, I would play more live if was easily accessible. I believe its still a 2.5 hour drive for me, so, mostly on line at acr
 
antonis32123 said:
In cash games any mistake can cost you a lot . I feel many times por committed in bad situations where I was lured into , I feel I have to play all chips , win or lose . I like tourneys more ,.ore players in a hand , better chances to play against a very weak player , more chances to win if you lose (specially in early stages of a tourney )
Click to expand...
I can relate to what you are saying about cash games. Sometimes you feel committed
 
Nameless14 said:
I agree. The biggest adjustment for me was realizing that chips don't increase in value like they do in tournaments. In cash games, you can be much more patient and don't have to worry about ICM or blinds constantly going up. It definitely took me a while to stop thinking like a tournament player.
Click to expand...
interestiing...do you normally just play premium dealt hands?
 
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TheniT said:
Switching from tournaments to cash games means changing your mindset from survival to maximizing EV on every hand. Focus on solid fundamentals, exploit opponents, and be patient, since long-term consistency matters more than big individual wins.
Click to expand...
I appreciate the tips. I got a long way to go to being a superior player at any level.
 
stil370 said:
interestiing...do you normally just play premium dealt hands?
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Not really. I just play a bit tighter than I would in tournaments, especially from early position. I'll open wider in late position and adjust based on the table, but I'm definitely not waiting only for premium hands.
 
You can then take advantage of the nits to steal the blinds and bluff, and you adapt to the other profiles based on their aggressiveness.
 
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