Cash Game & Tournament Differences

[Sherman]

So I've been bouncing back in forth between cash games and tournaments a lot lately and I know several other posters are as well.

I've noticed quite a few differences in cash games and tournaments. So I thought a thread to discuss those differences might be helpful. Feel free to add any you have noticed.

Here are a few things I have noticed:

1) Tournament villains are way worse on average than cash game villains. By worse, I mean tournament villains are bigger calling stations and overvalue weak hands more. So this means a couple of things: In tournaments more than in cash games, look to shove the river for value. Also, you might play marginal to strong hands more aggressively in tournaments b/c you will get called lighter. In cash games, you can make an occasional big bluff on the river when you have set yourself up for it. Players will sometimes let go of TP in cash games.

2) The rebuy button is so fantastic in cash games. You can always play 100BBs deep. In tournaments, you are lucky if you get more than 30 minutes of 100BB deep play. This often forces you to play more straightfoward in tournaments than in cash games. A lot of creativity is lost b/c of decreased implied odds.

Those are just two with the 2nd one being relatively obvious. Any other differences people have noticed?

[dhillon33]

when i play SNGs, my work (reading othe players, feelin the table) is done by the time the blinds reach 50/100 since at that point, the game is now like you mentioned 'straightfoward'

well not for the noobs who still shove kj o...but for me at least...i'll just sit back and play my good hands out and hope for the best

edit: 27 player SNGs

[MJBuddy]

When I do play ring games, I'm way more aggressive, raise much more, reraise more, etc.

This is mostly due to playing 6-max rather than full ring.

[mflip]

Yeah mostly because it's 6-max, but I 3-bet way more often and way way wider.

[mflip]

Also, pairs and suited connectors/one gappers can be played in raised pots and I basically never limp anything.

[plzleenowhammy]

[ QUOTE ]
When I do play ring games, I'm way more aggressive, raise much more, reraise more, etc.

This is mostly due to playing 6-max rather than full ring.

[/ QUOTE ]

really? i thought ppl call more and reraise less in cash games?

[xxGreat1xx]

tourneys are more satisfying when you make a final table or finish high

[mflip]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
When I do play ring games, I'm way more aggressive, raise much more, reraise more, etc.

This is mostly due to playing 6-max rather than full ring.

[/ QUOTE ]

really? i thought ppl call more and reraise less in cash games?

[/ QUOTE ]

No, most guys in uNL advise running somewhere from 18/15/3 to 25/22/3. Obviously if you play well you can be much laggier than that and sometimes tables dictate you should be tighter. If you look in the Stats thread in uNL I remember one guy who was at 18/17 over something like 26k hands so that's basically never calling PF.

[SuperUberBob]

The biggest difference between tournament and cash poker is that you can win money in tournament poker by folding and having other players bust out before you. The only way to win money in cash games is to play hands. If you don't, the blinds/ante will eat your stack and you'll lose money.

[ShowUthExit]

im good at tourneys and i suck at cash games