Cash Games vs Tournaments – Which do you enjoy more and why?

[Kpaprince]

I’ve been switching between cash games and tournaments, and honestly, both formats feel very different to me.

Cash games give more flexibility and less pressure in single hands, but tournaments feel more exciting because of the structure, ICM pressure, and the feeling of building toward a final table.

Sometimes I enjoy the stability of cash games, and other times I prefer the adrenaline of tournaments.

Which format do you enjoy more and why?

 

[tuitui]

I also find cash games somewhat boring. Doing same thing again and again and no clear goal, just does not work for me. And the boredom eventually makes me do stupid moves and I end up losing money, so not my sport!

 

[Reddog888]

Tournaments certainly offer players an exhilarating feeling when they win. Winning over the long term is always better than winning by small margins.

 

[sibkaz]

The tournament is more interesting, the wait is very long there)

 

[veszmo]

I specifically preferred tournaments, and as you mentioned, they are much more exciting, you can use better tactics. The downside is that you can be eliminated at any moment and there is no more.

 

[austral]

I enjoy both. Tournaments create a more challenging and intense experience, especially when approaching big payouts or final tables. Cash games offer more stability, control, and less emotional variance.

 

[bodil19982]

I like tournaments more than cash games. In tournaments, you feel a certain excitement and a strong desire to win.

 

[gravii2011]

Definitely tournaments, in terms of everything, both emotions and play)

 

[Pavelmiyah]

Only tournament ♥️

 

[ammje]

I like tournaments, I've never liked cash, but lately I've been playing ggpoker with money for cash that I won in a freeroll, and now I like to play cash, I've won a few dollars there.

 

[fernandofcp]

I prefer cash games and tournaments equally. If I have a little time, I play cash games. If I have plenty of time available, I play tournaments. My preference will depend on how much time I have available to play poker.

 

[Ruslan L]

I have been playing poker for many years. I started playing tournaments, with micro buy-ins. When I realized that I was only losing money, I tried to switch to cash games, and started losing even more and even faster. Therefore, the question naturally arose, how to do it so that at least stop losing money. The answer was found by itself. The answer: "play freerolls". Tournaments with micro buy-ins are very similar to freerolls, so I focused all my attention on them.

 

[CaioRJ]

Tournament = More Fish and Big Hit possibility
A Final Table can pay more than 1 year on Cash Game

 

[theStarfish]

I honestly like both. Both are the game but different. The challenge of a tournament, fighting through a large field and trying to beat everyone is fascinating. Playing cash and having the freedom to come and leave or play several tables at the same time (at least online) is a different aspect of poker.

 

[Jyco]

I’ve played both cash games and tournaments, but I definitely prefer tournaments. They’re what I’ve studied the most compared to cash games, and I also find them much more dynamic. Tournaments come in many different structures and formats, while cash games are always the same, which can be positive, but also less exciting for me.

What makes tournaments special is the feeling as you approach the money. You really feel the pressure, both trying to survive and putting pressure on other players. Every decision can feel like your tournament life is on the line. Once you cash, the goal becomes to last as long as possible and push for a deep run, which can take hours or end in minutes. Anything can happen, and if you play well and run well, the rewards can be much bigger than in cash games, even though cash is usually more consistent for strong players.

 

[GrannySmit77]

It really depends how much time I have to spend on that particular session. Obviously, tournaments take much longer to get to the paid places, big tournaments can take days to burst the bubble. Also, of those paid places the top 5-10 players get paid more. Whereas, if you have less time to sped on your poker session, you're better off playing cash games because you can leave whenever you want.

 

[Mr.Ram]

It all depends on the time of day and my mood. If you're up for tournaments, it's ggpoker; they have a huge selection. I like Omaha cash games on the WPT; it's very dynamic with constant action. And if you're just looking for fun, 888 and their freebies are waiting for you.

 

[dompoker]

At first, I was a bit leaning towards real money games, and over time, I realized that both are good, depending on the time, the less time I play cash, the longer I play tournaments.

 

[kmiarka]

Cash games are great for pure EV and clean GTO lines, but MTTs feel like a full strategic arc.

You start deep, navigate mid‑stack play, then end up in short‑stack push/fold territory with ICM shaping every decision.

That complexity is what makes them more fun for me.

 

[pltelles]

I prefer tournaments; for me, cash games are more stressful and riskier.

 

[Leandro6803]

I prefer tournaments, and a structure that doesn't disappoint in terms of long-term prizes.