Do you prefer cash games or tournaments?

[alombrald]

Legend has it that those who are good at tournaments usually don't have much success in cash games. What do you think of this theory?

 

[pep12343]

I think that's a myth. Many players who travel to play live tournaments also decide to play cash games in their spare time. The game is the same, the discipline is the same. You just have to understand that you don't play a cash game the same way you play a tournament, period. You can be a good player in both.

While it's true that a good tournament player won't necessarily be a good cash player.}

 

[hjuosh]

I think. Tournaments to try a big win. And cash to recupere the losses. But tourneys are to much fun and entertaining anyway.

 

[jrgum25]

You can be good at both but I find I'm better at tournaments than I am at cash games. For some reason I have way more patience in tournaments than I do in cash games setting probably because in cash I take more risks. This usually doesn't bode well for me as I often times get myself into trouble whereas in tournament I'm a little more patient because the blinds dictate how I play.

 

[alucaa]

I would say that I like tournaments better, they last longer, I think they are more entertaining

 

[sibkaz]

It depends on how much free time and desire to play)

 

[alombrald]

You can be good at both but I find I'm better at tournaments than I am at cash games. For some reason I have way more patience in tournaments than I do in cash games setting probably because in cash I take more risks. This usually doesn't bode well for me as I often times get myself into trouble whereas in tournament I'm a little more patient because the blinds dictate how I play.

In part, I agree with you. But I like the adrenaline I get when I play cash games =D

 

[alombrald]

It depends on how much free time and desire to play)

after all, time is money =D

 

[Kpaprince]

• Cash games when I want consistency and control. You can leave anytime, reload if needed, and variance feels more manageable. It’s great for working on fundamentals like hand reading, bet sizing, and discipline.
• Tournaments when I want excitement and a big payoff. They take more time and patience, but the structure, ICM pressure, and final-table dynamics make them way more interesting mentally. One deep run can make the whole session worth it

 

[Szimba1989]

A legenda szerint azok, akik jók a versenyeken, általában nem érnek el nagy sikereket a készpénzes játékokban. Mit gondolsz erről az elméletről?

I think if I just take myself as an example somehow the competition will succeed better or just luck but in cash my experiences and my profits are worse

 

[Pavelmiyah]

Tournament

 

[Ruslan L]

I prefer tournaments because I have better results in tournaments than in cash games. In my opinion, cash games are more difficult than tournaments and require more experience and more advanced skills.

 

[TheniT]

I prefer playing cash games; I like being able to set my own schedule and stop playing whenever I want.

 

[fundiver199]

There are some advantages to specializing and become very good at one format rather than just good at multible formats. But there are lots of players, who win in both tournaments and cash games, both at the highest stakes and online in micro and low stakes games. I have mainly played tournaments including SnGs for the past several years, but I have no problems beating 10NL cash games. 25NL and higher is up for debate, since I dont have enough volume to prove, if I am winning or not.

As others have said you just need to understand the difference betweeen trying to outlast other players and trying to win chips/money. And the difference between playing with a 100BB stack and a 20-40 BB stack, as is more common in tournaments. But even in tournaments you start with around 100BB, unless you late register. So its not like, a good tournament player has no idea, how to play with 100BB. We just dont do it all the time, like cash game players do.

 

[stampide]

I prefer tournaments. For me it more interesting than cash games. But cash games is more comfortable to play because u can sit to play and sit out in any moments!

 

[dreamer13]

Cash games are for the whole day. I can play for a couple of hours, leave whenever I want, and still earn a little money. Tournaments take a long time, depending on how many people bought in, and it takes much longer to win back any money. Just my opinion. will never win a wsop bracelet.

 

[Hospedar]

This legend may be right in parts, because the cash game are usually played with big stacks and with re-buy on (and this strongly changes the way you play the game), but the knowledge you got by playing tournaments are not fully deleted when you start playing cash games, so you can just start to learn more about this modality and adapt your game to fit in this modality.

Anyway, answering your question: I really like the emotion of playing a tournament and the idea of getting some big prizes, but I usually say that I prefer cash games because I can decide when I start playing and when I stop playing; I also can say that I like the idea of immediately get the reward of a well played hand of mine.

 

[pavel1111111]

Only tournaments for me 😁...in cash games you can lose all You gain în one sesions👉

 

[pltelles]

They are different playing styles, in cash games you have to be more aggressive.

 

[eninefuz]

I prefer tournaments

 

[anasslaaleg]

I prefer cash games.
I like the fast pace, the big stacks, and the freedom to choose my moments without the pressure of the blinds. Tournaments are exciting for the adrenaline rush and the glory, but cash games? That's where patience, discipline, and long-term strategies really make the difference.

 

[Fosterbio]

I know streamers who came to MTTs from cash games, but I've never seen the opposite. MTTs and cash games are two different disciplines. For example, in cash games there's no ICM, and in MTTs the buy-in is 50-100 times smaller relative to the potential win. It's better to be good at one thing than average at everything.

 

[Jyco]

I think most of us started playing poker because of tournaments. We all saw those high buy-in events where the winner takes home millions, and that dream is what initially motivates many players to get into poker. Winning a big tournament and making a deep run is something that, if you stay consistent, feels like it could happen one day.

Personally, I believe there are three types of players. First, there are tournament specialists who focus almost exclusively on MTTs. Second, there are cash game players, many of whom were also attracted to poker by tournaments at the beginning, but later switched to cash games because they offer a more stable and predictable environment—fixed blind levels and more control over bankroll swings. Finally, there are players who manage to be good at both formats.

Regarding the theory, I think tournament players often specialize only in tournaments, while cash game players tend to be more versatile overall. That said, this is just my personal opinion and not based on any hard data.

 

[Mig32]

I definitely prefer tournaments. What attracts me most is the evolving structure and the pressure dynamics as stacks get shallower. Unlike cash games, where decisions are often deeper-stacked and more static, tournaments constantly force you to adjust—early-stage accumulation, middle-stage survival, and late-stage ICM pressure. That strategic progression keeps the game intellectually engaging.
I also enjoy the competitive arc of a tournament. There’s a clear objective: outlast the field and make a deep run. The increasing blinds, shifting stack depths, and payout jumps create high-leverage decisions that test discipline and mental resilience. For me, that structured challenge and the possibility of turning one buy-in into a significant score make tournaments far more rewarding than cash games.

 

[DarkSage]

Since its rigged, you'll be better off loosing small amounts per tourney. If you play live you might consider cash...