Should we choose between a cash game or a tournament?

JhonnyThe357 · Apr 2, 2026

To improve poker performance, should one choose and delve deeper (theory and practice) into only one type of game? That is, should one choose between cash games or tournaments?

I ask this because I've been playing for a while, but I still haven't managed to achieve consistency. I play both tournaments and cash games, and it's always inconsistent; some days everything goes right, and the next day nothing seems to click.

Sometimes I do very well in a tournament and also in cash games. However, the next day I enter the same tournaments and end up being eliminated early, but I maintain a reasonable performance in the same cash games. I'm unsure whether I should choose one or the other to deepen my study and practice.

rsparente · Apr 3, 2026

Cash games will teach you more, better and faster, but with the cost of high variance.

Tournaments need to be picked carefully, some of them are just a bunch of jam players. And you will learn nothing from it.

steve01991 · Apr 3, 2026

i would say keep playing both, as the more experience you get the better you become with decisions.

Goggelheimer · Apr 3, 2026

Choosing between a cash game and a tournament really comes down to what kind of experience you want at the table.
Cash games offer flexibility—you can sit down, play a few orbits, and leave whenever you feel satisfied or the table dynamic shifts.
Tournaments, on the other hand, create a sense of progression and momentum, where every decision feels like it carries a bit more weight.
Cash games reward steady, disciplined play, while tournaments often demand adaptability as blinds rise and stacks fluctuate.
Some players enjoy the marathon-like tension of surviving deep into a tournament, while others prefer the consistent, grind-friendly structure of cash.
It’s worth thinking about your current energy level, your available time, and whether you’re in the mood for long-term strategy or immediate tactical decisions.
Both formats can be rewarding, but the right choice depends on the kind of challenge you want to embrace today.

hardongear · Apr 3, 2026

20+ year rec/hobby player......I play both. I play 2nl-50nl full-ring cash during the week when I find the time. And I play longer 10+ min blind MTT's on the weekends. I find it the perfect mix as I usually win enough playing cash during the week to afford my MTT's buy-ins on the weekends plus make a small profit even when I don't cash in the MTT's. And well weekends is far and away the best time to play MTT's. The most number of players are online then and the GTD's are the biggest then.

In perfect world this would be my perfect poker schedule:
1) Monday-Tuesdays studying/hand reviews.
2) Tuesday-Thursday/Friday double tabling cash games.
3) Saturday-Sunday MTT's.
4) Rinse and repeat 1-3.

Cheers!!!

JhonnyThe357 · Apr 5, 2026

rsparente said:
Cash games will teach you more, better and faster, but with the cost of high variance.

Tournaments need to be picked carefully, some of them are just a bunch of jam players. And you will learn nothing from it.

thanks for the tip. I really learn more in cash games than in tournaments.

JhonnyThe357 · Apr 5, 2026

steve01991 said:
i would say keep playing both, as the more experience you get the better you become with decisions.

That's a fact!

JhonnyThe357 · Apr 5, 2026

hardongear said:
20+ year rec/hobby player......I play both. I play 2nl-50nl full-ring cash during the week when I find the time. And I play longer 10+ min blind MTT's on the weekends. I find it the perfect mix as I usually win enough playing cash during the week to afford my MTT's buy-ins on the weekends plus make a small profit even when I don't cash in the MTT's. And well weekends is far and away the best time to play MTT's. The most number of players are online then and the GTD's are the biggest then.

In perfect world this would be my perfect poker schedule:
1) Monday-Tuesdays studying/hand reviews.
2) Tuesday-Thursday/Friday double tabling cash games.
3) Saturday-Sunday MTT's.
4) Rinse and repeat 1-3.

Cheers!!!

I have this perception regarding tournaments. I will put your suggestion into practice. thanks

hardongear · Apr 6, 2026

JhonnyThe357 said:
I have this perception regarding tournaments. I will put your suggestion into practice. thanks

Yeah I find it works for me and I schedule my poker as cash on weekdays and MTT's on weekends because I love the challenge on larger field and longer 10+ min blind level MTT's and well they can take anywhere from 6-8+ hours to play. Which I don't have that kinda time on the weekdays I have family plus own and run my own business....hell some weeks I don't even have 6 free hours together at the same time that I can spare between work, family and real life. I'm sure there's other ways and schedules to make poker work. This way just works for me. Good luck with your poker journey hope something I offered up works for you if there's a lot of ways to skin a cat and get the job done. Find the way that works for you.

I'm sure out there somewhere there is someone who plays Sit n Goes during the week and bigger field MTT's on the weekends and makes it work or who just plays a single poker format and makes it work. I like playing both cause I'm decently good at both and I find for me playing cash during the week helps smooth out the variance of MTT's which is and can be beyond terrible and playing cash also helps me scratch the itch of playing during the week when some days I may only have an hour or a couple of hours.

Cheers!!!

anasslaaleg · Apr 6, 2026

Cash game or tournament?
It really comes down to how you like to play.
Cash games are flexible you can sit down, leave anytime, and every chip has real value. It’s steady, less pressure, and great if you prefer control and consistency.
Tournaments, on the other hand, are a rollercoaster. You pay one entry, get a stack, and fight to survive as blinds increase. The pressure builds, the stakes rise, and the rewards can be big but only if you last.
So what should you choose?
If you like freedom and lower variance, go cash.
If you enjoy competition, risk, and the thrill of chasing a big win, go tournament.
Neither is “better” just different vibes for different players.

JhonnyThe357 · Apr 6, 2026

hardongear said:
Yeah I find it works for me and I schedule my poker as cash on weekdays and MTT's on weekends because I love the challenge on larger field and longer 10+ min blind level MTT's and well they can take anywhere from 6-8+ hours to play. Which I don't have that kinda time on the weekdays I have family plus own and run my own business....hell some weeks I don't even have 6 free hours together at the same time that I can spare between work, family and real life. I'm sure there's other ways and schedules to make poker work. This way just works for me. Good luck with your poker journey hope something I offered up works for you if there's a lot of ways to skin a cat and get the job done. Find the way that works for you.

I'm sure out there somewhere there is someone who plays Sit n Goes during the week and bigger field MTT's on the weekends and makes it work or who just plays a single poker format and makes it work. I like playing both cause I'm decently good at both and I find for me playing cash during the week helps smooth out the variance of MTT's which is and can be beyond terrible and playing cash also helps me scratch the itch of playing during the week when some days I may only have an hour or a couple of hours.

Cheers!!!

Thank you for your opinion. Your situation is somewhat similar to mine. I also have a family and a job that occupies the vast majority of my time. Your opinion was very valuable. Thank you.

JhonnyThe357 · Apr 6, 2026

anasslaaleg said:
Cash game or tournament?
It really comes down to how you like to play.
Cash games are flexible you can sit down, leave anytime, and every chip has real value. It’s steady, less pressure, and great if you prefer control and consistency.
Tournaments, on the other hand, are a rollercoaster. You pay one entry, get a stack, and fight to survive as blinds increase. The pressure builds, the stakes rise, and the rewards can be big but only if you last.
So what should you choose?
If you like freedom and lower variance, go cash.
If you enjoy competition, risk, and the thrill of chasing a big win, go tournament.
Neither is “better” just different vibes for different players.

This dilemma is consuming me. I personally prefer cash games, but at cash game tables, I rarely manage to achieve the significant winnings that a tournament offers, even if I played cash games with higher limits, and I don't have the skill level for such an undertaking. 😅

gloria_marga · Apr 6, 2026

I recommend specializing in just one of them. When you feel like you've learned everything you need and your game is at its best, you can try to specialize in the other one. But keep in mind that they are very different types of games.

WrongUsername · Apr 6, 2026

mtt will always be the better choice but u have to have time available

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Should we choose between a cash game or a tournament?

JhonnyThe357

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rsparente

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steve01991

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Goggelheimer

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hardongear

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JhonnyThe357

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JhonnyThe357

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JhonnyThe357

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hardongear

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anasslaaleg

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JhonnyThe357

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JhonnyThe357

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gloria_marga

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WrongUsername

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