cash games or tournaments ?

scrawnybob · #1 (**permalink**) 09-09-2006, 05:42 PM

hi all

Do you mostly play cash (ring) games or tournaments (SnG's & MTT's) ?

I've always played mostly SnG's with occasional MMT's if I have time (not much anymore) but recently I've been forcing myself to play cash games which I'd definately thought was the weakest part of my not very strong game generally

be interested on everyone's preferences and thoughts on this one

is it possible to be a good successful all rounder or do you think as it's been suggested that you should specialise and work on your strongest game / style

I've even heard players specifically work and only play in short SnG's and wouldn't touch even a full table SnG

What does everyone think ?

cheers scrawnybob

littlegrave · #2 (**permalink**) 09-09-2006, 07:02 PM

I've tried everything. Of course, my winnings come mostly from MTTs. My biggest win in a MTT is $550 4 or 5 months ago. It was $5 rebuys and the prize pool reached $3 K. I finished 2nd. Since then I don't have a big win (bigger than 1st place= $60).

Anyway, I've been playing only cash games recently ( Limit Hold'em 0.25/0.50) and I am doing pretty well. I used to play NL Hold'em 0.10/0.20 and 0.25/0.50, but I reached the point when I didn't win much so I switched to Limit Hold'em. I also liked $6 and $10 NL Hold'em SnGs at AP and I built good bankroll.

In MTTs, there's a lot of luck involved. Even if you are a very good play at ring tables, you need a lot of luck to be in top places. This is what I really miss... luck. I played 5-10 MTTs (mostly $5 at AP, $10 at Titan and one at Poker.com). I didn't cashed in any one them although it was full of donks and I was better than my opponents.

That's why I don't play any MTTs anymore except for some league I play in.

I know some players at another forum who are some of the best MTT players and win big cash. They really know everything about MTTs but they don't do really well at ring tables. It's hard to be good both at ring tables and in MTTs.

adrodysee · #3 (**permalink**) 09-10-2006, 11:31 AM

I love playing MTTs but my profit margin is greatest for 1 table Sngs. I enjoy the rounders style of hopping tables now and again, but tend to break out more evenly in these rather than gain. Some days just feel like tourny days and others just feel like a few hands at a table.

Take care,

PokerBarney · #4 (**permalink**) 09-11-2006, 02:05 PM

I play mostly multi table SNGs. The income is much steadier than cash games, where you can experience much more drastic swings in fortune. Once I've got a big enough bankroll build from SNGs, I'm going to move to MTTs. I find them more enjoyable, because you've got the thrill of winning individual hands and gaining chips (as in cash games), but you also have the added bonus of being the overall winner

Dazzler69 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-11-2006, 03:24 PM

i mainly play s'n'gs and the occaisional MTT, but i am really trying to up my cash game coz that is where the money is.

bender711 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-12-2006, 03:55 PM

I try to stick with the MTT"S and SnG's.Every time i go to a ring game(.10-.25) I do the same thing..Play solid poker for a while and then get hosed with top 2 pair on the flop to a runner runer flush by some donkey! HA! I guess that's a problem with my game not theirs.
Good luck at the tables!!

JimG · #7 (**permalink**) 09-22-2006, 06:07 PM

I'm at the point now where 90% of my play is in short to mid handed ring games. I've found these to be the most profitable for me.
I used to play a ton of tournaments to chase the TLBs at the big sites. These have become so competitive now that it has not been worth doing for a couple years now.

IMO: It’s probably best for a player to specialize in order to develop an area they have the largest edge over opponents. At the same time dedicating maybe 20% of their time to improving their game in other areas so when the right situation comes up (A good game at the non specialized area) they can capitalize.

Braisco · #8 (**permalink**) 09-23-2006, 12:58 PM

I started strictly as tourney player but decided to force myself into ring tables since it required a different skill set. I stick to the lower limits anywhere from .10 to .50 tables. I win more than I lose and my style of play depends on the site and the players at the table. Normally I'll be the tighest at the table and try to pick my spots. I did thid at Cake poker yesterday. I sat for more than 25 minutes with out playing a hand untill I picked up QQ in the big blind. Everyone folded to the small blind who limped in I raised and she went all in. She had been playing rather loose the whole time I was watching so I called. I went down to pocket kings. So much for picking my spots.

JimG · #9 (**permalink**) 09-23-2006, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braisco

I started strictly as tourney player but decided to force myself into ring tables since it required a different skill set. I stick to the lower limits anywhere from .10 to .50 tables. I win more than I lose and my style of play depends on the site and the players at the table. Normally I'll be the tighest at the table and try to pick my spots. I did thid at Cake poker yesterday. I sat for more than 25 minutes with out playing a hand untill I picked up QQ in the big blind. Everyone folded to the small blind who limped in I raised and she went all in. She had been playing rather loose the whole time I was watching so I called. I went down to pocket kings. So much for picking my spots.

QQ is a very hard hand to get away from.
One thing you have to consider, have you seen this player limp reraise on a bluff before? If not you have to automatically put this player on: 45% AA, 45% KK, 10% AK. These are the only hands that most players will limp reraise with (AK is not often)
She was probably very disappointed to see everyone fold around and to be left in a hand with a guy who has not played a hand in the 25 minutes he was at the table, as soon as you raised her she was excited again and moved all in. Honestly for what its worth I fold QQ in this spot if I don’t know for a fact this player will limp reraise with a weaker hand then the ones I mentioned.
It is a tough hand though to get away from.. For me I’m a sucker with KK.. I hate the fact that I’ve known 100% for sure an opponent has had aces and I’ve still put my money in with kings. (I’ve done this one to many times).
Better luck today.

allndave · #10 (**permalink**) 09-26-2006, 04:31 AM

started out playing tournys won 2 freerolls (with the 10x raked hands before payout stipulation) so 2500 raked hands in ring games later i cashed out most of the first win , yaa. 2000 raked hands for the second one , i'm there still have most of my money. i'm sure my game has gotten a lot better but win ratio not there yet .oh, i play low stakes mostly .5/.10nl starting to play .10/.20 & somtimes .25/ .50 . everyone says don't move up untill you have a steady win ratio , but we all get the same to cards. so i'm going to keep trying gotta eather win or lose tierd of breaking even