Is it better to play cash games or tournament?

ART-Poker

ART-Poker

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Apr 12, 2025
Total posts
63
DE
Poker Chips
207
  • #1
In my opinion cash games generally provide a more reliable, controllable income stream for skilled players than tournaments, because they offer steadier expected-value per hour, greater control over variance, and easier bankroll management
 
  • Like
Reactions: Phoenix Wright, Dushka, Hospedar and 1 other person
kmiarka

kmiarka

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Sep 11, 2025
Total posts
71
GB
Poker Chips
168
  • #2
If you plan to do it for a living there is no other way than playing cash games - there is too much variance when it comes to playing tournaments.

As a casual player I prefer to play tournaments for a thrill of that 1st place prize :) !
 
  • Like
Reactions: monkeytilter, hobojim1247, fuzzycatdaddy and 1 other person
austral

austral

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
Sep 24, 2025
Total posts
256
Awards
1
AR
Poker Chips
313
  • #3
If you prefer control and stability → cash games.

If you enjoy adrenaline and the potential for big prizes → tournaments.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dushka and reww
marco198121

marco198121

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
Sep 12, 2025
Total posts
126
BR
Poker Chips
160
  • #4
Tournaments, but you need to have in mind that for the next 3 or more hours i cant do anything else.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Poker Orifice
roberto51

roberto51

Visionary
Platinum Level
Joined
Sep 23, 2020
Total posts
856
Awards
2
Poker Chips
594
  • #5
In a tournament, you usually have to play for several hours to get into the payout pool. In cash games, you can win this amount of money, and often much more, in just a few minutes. Of course, if you play at a certain level.
 
RonanPERNA

RonanPERNA

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
Jan 23, 2023
Total posts
404
Awards
1
BR
Poker Chips
739
  • #6
I prefer tournaments, even though they are usually time-consuming.
 
Iryna Stryzheuskaya

Iryna Stryzheuskaya

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
Feb 13, 2016
Total posts
3,213
Awards
10
BY
Poker Chips
439
  • #7
I think you should play the games that you like best. Then, in addition to income, you will also enjoy the game.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MIZRIA
O

odonob

Legend
Platinum Level
Joined
Feb 16, 2020
Total posts
1,124
Awards
2
Poker Chips
843
  • #8
Cash is impossible, stick to tournaments
 
L

Lux12

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
Oct 22, 2025
Total posts
124
BR
Poker Chips
72
  • #9
I like more Tournament
 
dompoker

dompoker

Legend
Platinum Level
Joined
Jul 22, 2019
Total posts
1,129
Awards
2
Poker Chips
678
  • #10
In tournaments, it requires more time, if the player wants to reach the end, to have a lot of patience, while real games are lost or won in less time.
 
Ruslan L

Ruslan L

Legend
Platinum Level
Joined
Aug 30, 2022
Total posts
1,314
Awards
1
UA
Poker Chips
587
  • #11
ART-Poker said:
In my opinion cash games generally provide a more reliable, controllable income stream for skilled players than tournaments, because they offer steadier expected-value per hour, greater control over variance, and easier bankroll management
Everything is relative. On the contrary, I think tournaments are the better option. I rarely play cash games because they have never been as profitable for me as tournaments.
 
Kasztor007

Kasztor007

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
Feb 23, 2014
Total posts
156
Awards
1
Poker Chips
186
  • #12
I don’t think there’s a single “better” format — it depends on your goals and situation. Cash games offer more control, lower variance, and flexible time management, while tournaments come with higher variance but bigger upside. The best choice is the one you can play consistently and with discipline.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MIZRIA
Shadow6969

Shadow6969

Rock Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Sep 11, 2025
Total posts
286
IN
Poker Chips
226
  • #13
In my opinion, cash games generally offer a more reliable and controllable income stream for skilled players than tournaments. The EV per hour is steadier, variance is significantly lower, and you have far more control over table selection, session length, and stake sizing. Bankroll management is also much simpler—you’re not exposed to massive downswings tied to top-heavy payout structures.
Tournaments can obviously produce huge spikes and are exciting, but the long stretches of negative variance can be brutal, even for strong players. Cash games reward consistent decision-making and allow skill edges to compound over time rather than relying on occasional deep runs.
 
userX

userX

Legend
Platinum Level
Joined
Aug 2, 2023
Total posts
1,018
Awards
1
UA
Poker Chips
532
  • #14
ART-Poker said:
In my opinion cash games generally provide a more reliable, controllable income stream for skilled players than tournaments, because they offer steadier expected-value per hour, greater control over variance, and easier bankroll management
If a player keeps statistics and understands what brings him more profit, then the choice should be obvious. You should play what brings you more money. If it's cash games, then you should focus on them. If it's tournaments, then you should stop playing cash games. Your statistics will tell you more than anyone else.
 
TheniT

TheniT

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
Mar 15, 2019
Total posts
368
Awards
2
BR
Poker Chips
288
  • #15
In my opinion, cash games are better for professional play because they have less variance.
 
ODRAGD3

ODRAGD3

Rock Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Oct 6, 2015
Total posts
370
Awards
3
VE
Poker Chips
328
  • #16
It depends on what you want. A tournament lasts at least 4 hours, and your entry is only guaranteed on the bubble. In contrast, at table games, if you win, you can quit. In tournaments, the winnings are 100x+.
 
Poker Orifice

Poker Orifice

And Still...
Platinum Level
Joined
Jan 19, 2008
Total posts
28,182
Awards
6
CA
Poker Chips
840
  • #17
ART-Poker said:
In my opinion cash games generally provide a more reliable, controllable income stream for skilled players than tournaments, because they offer steadier expected-value per hour, greater control over variance, and easier bankroll management

Neither. Poker is rigged.
 
  • Like
Reactions: monkeytilter
dreamer13

dreamer13

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
Mar 18, 2022
Total posts
5,169
Awards
2
LV
Poker Chips
1,495
  • #18
If adrenaline and the chance of a big prize are key, tournaments are a better choice. But if stability, flexibility, and gradual skill improvement are key, cash games are a more profitable choice.
 
hobojim1247

hobojim1247

Legend
Platinum Level
Joined
Mar 29, 2022
Total posts
2,685
Awards
2
US
Poker Chips
686
  • #19
Whether one is better than the other is situational. I prefer tournaments
 
fuzzycatdaddy

fuzzycatdaddy

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Dec 30, 2025
Total posts
91
US
Poker Chips
96
  • #20
I like tournaments more from a risk-management perspective. My total investment for those few hours is set. It doesn't necessarily have the bigger ROI, but it manages my loses much better which is arguably more important.
 
  • Like
Reactions: otmputquant
istbno

istbno

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
Jan 14, 2015
Total posts
462
Awards
2
UA
Poker Chips
311
  • #21
Neither cash games nor tournaments are universally better, it really depends on your goals, mindset, and lifestyle. Cash games offer more stability, flexible schedules, and lower variance, making them ideal for steady income and consistent improvement. Tournaments, on the other hand, bring higher variance but the chance for life-changing scores and more excitement, which many players find motivating. If you value predictability and control, cash games usually fit better, if you enjoy big swings, pressure situations, and chasing large payouts, tournaments may be more appealing.
 
O

otmputquant

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Jan 10, 2022
Total posts
32
Poker Chips
6
  • #22
I prefer tournaments, just feels like im starting on a level playing field and my risk is contained.
 
martinoni

martinoni

Visionary
Platinum Level
Joined
Jan 20, 2022
Total posts
546
Awards
1
BR
Poker Chips
775
  • #23
no better or worse, it is just about the way you adapt better
 
10gerka

10gerka

Legend
Platinum Level
Joined
Aug 6, 2018
Total posts
1,295
Awards
3
Poker Chips
727
  • #24
I really enjoy playing tournaments and cash games; either way you can become a solid winning player.
 
fernandofcp

fernandofcp

Legend
Platinum Level
Joined
Feb 25, 2016
Total posts
1,003
Awards
3
Poker Chips
435
  • #25
These are two very different types of games. In tournaments, you have the chance to compete for a large prize, while in cash games, the profit is more gradual and consistent. This can be less exciting for some players. If you don't have good bankroll management, you can lose all your money quickly in a cash game. Be careful!
 
  • Like
Reactions: monkeytilter
Real Money Poker - Real Money Casinos Top 10 Games
Top