Made an important realization today

babco079 · Jan 28, 2013

I have been playing online poker off and on for a couple of years. I would normally play small stakes cash games and low limit sit n go. I am a losing player. I could never put my finger on why. Over the last couple weeks I started playing small buy in tournaments and I have won a couple and cashed in about 50% of the total. I finally realized that cash games are not for me and my focus should stay in tournaments. Any one else fair better in either cash games or tournys?

Martingale · Jan 28, 2013

I think it's great you found out. I prefer cash games, but had a time I would use my cash earnings (if present) to buy into tournaments, after which I would be frustrated once I busted. So, I swore not to play mtt's anymore. (Of course I couldn't keep my promise, but at least I learned to use only tiny fractions of my earnings for buy-ins.)

Sometimes I feel there are too many opinions on what you should or should not play, what is fashionable and not, etc. At the end of the day, only you can decide. If it's tournaments for you, stick firmly with them and also accept that there will be lows in between the highs. Good luck

Cooking · Jan 28, 2013

Good that you found your way! I like to play both, but my profit in cash games is much better than in MTT's, so, I stick with the first choice. Also, I don't have much time to play, so, cash games are much better for me.

Poker Orifice · Jan 28, 2013

I prefer tournaments & because of it I chose to put in a bunch of time studying that format. (but I play all kinds of stuff).

Note: tournament play can be real hellish. It is normal to get busted out of tourneys 'regulary' going in as a huge favourite & have it happen in crucial moments (where the difference is between going on towards a good/great score or busting out getting a measely min.cash). This can go on for literally HUNDREDS of tourneys (I am not exaggerating). I could give you countless examples (as could anyone who's played a fair number of tournaments)... ie. down to final 20-30 players (or large field tourney) then get it allin pre vs. other bigstack on table & bustout when your KK < JJ (or whatever)... where holding & winning hand would have you be large chip leader & in great advantageous position making a run at final table 'or' busting out & winning a paltry amount.

If you're choosing to play tournaments, know that this will be the norm and be mentally prepared for it (it can be crushing!!!). Thousands of tourneys later you will get used to it but it can still be difficult to accept.

I think part of why I prefer them is > the possibility of taking down a decent score with minimal investment & the excitement of making a deep run. I don't get that on cash tables.

bullishwwd · Jan 28, 2013

I can relate to what you both have stated.

Note, EACH of these types of poker play very differently...as different even No Limit, Pot Limit and Fixed Limit.

And, I think we all have our "specific tendencies" which generally allow us to win (and lose) more at one versus the other.

Recognize this fact and play accordingly.

Wally

bullishwwd · Jan 28, 2013

Poker Orifice said:
I prefer tournaments & because of it I chose to put in a bunch of time studying that format. (but I play all kinds of stuff).

Note: tournament play can be real hellish. It is normal to get busted out of tourneys 'regulary' going in as a huge favourite & have it happen in crucial moments (where the difference is between going on towards a good/great score or busting out getting a measely min.cash). This can go on for literally HUNDREDS of tourneys (I am not exaggerating). I could give you countless examples (as could anyone who's played a fair number of tournaments)... ie. down to final 20-30 players (or large field tourney) then get it allin pre vs. other bigstack on table & bustout when your KK < JJ (or whatever)... where holding & winning hand would have you be large chip leader & in great advantageous position making a run at final table 'or' busting out & winning a paltry amount.

If you're choosing to play tournaments, know that this will be the norm and be mentally prepared for it (it can be crushing!!!). Thousands of tourneys later you will get used to it but it can still be difficult to accept.

I think part of why I prefer them is > the possibility of taking down a decent score with minimal investment & the excitement of making a deep run. I don't get that on cash tables.

Exactly! Know thyself !

Poker Orifice · Jan 28, 2013

Reality for me was > whatever one I enjoyed the most was going to be the one I'd find easiest to put the time in studying. (ie. in school I rocked Math but sucked in History, Geography & English. I actually liked math.. > = ez to study)

Lots of good articles out there on NLHE Tournament play. A good (great) start is to check out the Harrington books (Vol. 1 & 2) as they'll give you a good foundation to work from.
Some great articles to read are ones in the series written by Bond18 (aka "Tony Dunst") called something like 'the things it took me awhile to learn about Tournament play' (< not exactly sure of the title.. but that is close).
It includes a series of topics (parts 1 thru 18 I believe?)
stuff included like:
stack sizes & their relevance
Metagame - notes & concentration
Late Position Opening Ranges
Hand Ranges
Poker Variance
The flaw in Level2 thinking
Position
3-betting & 4-betting
Bet-sizing
Tournament Hand-reading
Playing as the BigStack

These ^ are some of the titles. This is an awesome series to try to get your hands on. I thoroughly enjoyed it when I found it (yrs. ago) & always recommend it to anyone I'm 'trying' to coach.

gl on the tables! Hope you final table a few!

BigCountryAA · Jan 28, 2013

I prefer a tournament format as well (mostly SNG's). Cash games are boring to me and I can't do well in them as I get restless and make -ev plays.

ScottieDuncan · Jan 29, 2013

I play mostly sitngo, but, like cash games to breakup the monotony. Cash are not good for me because I get stuck on one specific player and not at everyone.

chriseles · Jan 29, 2013

I prefer MTT tourneys online, but cash ring games live....not sure why, but I have cashed in several online tourneys and never a live one (though I haven't played that many yet), and I generally lose fast online at ring games, but do pretty well live whether at a home game or in Vegas....

bz54321 · Jan 29, 2013

MTT for me but really want to get better at cash games.

buzzmania · Jan 29, 2013

i prefer mtt and the double up sngs at merge.for me it seems that if you play alot of hours like i do you will notice alot of the same people play the same games regurally and therefor i can make notes on thier play and when i end up on a table with them it seems to give me an advantage,but not always. .cash games online are brutal for me because i get impatient and frustrated at the play at the stakes that im able to afford..

dirtyoldog · Jan 29, 2013

i like playing both the good thing about cash games is after you double up you can stop and pocket your winnings and restart.and if your not haveing any luck you can try changing seats or take a break and come back after a rest. the key is do what works for you good luck

JusSumguy · Jan 29, 2013

Could also be that your EV turned around at the same time you changes games.

I need the cash game play. Helps me to see those spots in tournaments, when I wudda been playing ABC otherwise.

-

sCATpoker · Jan 29, 2013

Cash Games all the way live/online...I do play tourneys however but usually if there is a good overlay or to take a break or if my cash game is down 10 percent of my bankroll for the day. keeps me off the cash tables if I am running bad for what ever reason.

XXPXXP · Jan 29, 2013

i feel comfortable playing both Cash 9 handed [FL, NL], and SNG and HU and MTT, all win some cash, it is not because what types of games you win, but because of you use what methods to win what types of games, as for me, I pretty sure, there is different strategy for different games and all types of games are beaten.

ryhailey · Jan 29, 2013

I am in the exact same boat as you, I'm a bad cash player Imo but great when it comes to tournaments Imo.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 using Tapatalk

WrongTurn3 · Jan 29, 2013

I'm usually better during cash games other than tournys, but lately I havent done that great at either lol

LuckyBundy13 · Jan 30, 2013

I prefer tournaments over cash games whether it's online or live. Something about besting a field of no matter how many players, you're number 1. Plus what that dude said about a minimal buy in and winning heaps.

Cash games are reserved for people with actual $. Don't think that you can win a tourney and start playing cash. There's regs. waiting for tourney donks like myself to splash around in their world.

With that being said, I fair WAY BETTER in live cash games. Just make sure you are well rolled for whatever stakes you're playing. You don't want to play "uncomfortable"

cloverlines · Jan 30, 2013

I prefer tournaments over cash games also. I like to know the amount I can make. I like the competition more. I enjoy the rush more. I hate losing tourney buyins in cash games.

imboosted · Jan 30, 2013

I am starting to realize the exact same thing OP. In my experience, people seem less likely to "gamble" as much because they cannot simply rebuy if they bust! Also, this creates a great advantage for players who can exploit this.

SicKBeATz · Jan 31, 2013

Same here, my ego is too big for cash games...I win some lose alot, lose a buyin think I can and have to win that back so I lose a lot more. Never been good at cash tables and my br always goes in the opposite direction when I play them.

BLACKSTACK · Jan 31, 2013

babco079 said:
I have been playing online poker off and on for a couple of years. I would normally play small stakes cash games and low limit sit n go. I am a losing player. I could never put my finger on why. Over the last couple weeks I started playing small buy in tournaments and I have won a couple and cashed in about 50% of the total. I finally realized that cash games are not for me and my focus should stay in tournaments. Any one else fair better in either cash games or tournys?

Babco I used to be like that too, Only playing cash games and sng's til i noticed that my winnings are in tourneys, Even at micro cash games I would loose, I believe its because I get bored of siting at the same table waiting for good hands and if I win its only a couple cents maybe a or two if im lucky, my best winnings have been at bovada mainly the guaranteed ones.

Arjonius · Jan 31, 2013

For me, poker is a hobby. I want to win money, of course. but it's not much of a concern for me to maximize my winnings if it means playing games that aren't my preference. That's actually the case based on my long-term results. I win more per hour at cash, but prefer MTTs. So I only play cash when I'm in the mood.

Theoretically, this creates an opportunity cost. But since it's a hobby, I choose to play what I enjoy more, even knowing this.

otari · Jan 31, 2013

Cash games can get tedious, I once played at a local casino from 8pm until 5am, and it was a hard table so I only made about $50...totally not worth it in my opinion. If it is a soft table then it's good. Tourneys can drastically increase your bankroll, but it if very difficult to do well in them everytime you play.

Made an important realization today

babco079

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