Cash games or tournaments, which do you prefer?

32 replies

louuu19Micro-Stakes Grinder6 posts
Posted Aug 8, 2026, 6:39 PM#1

I enjoy both formats, but they require quite different approaches.

Which one do you prefer and why? Is it the strategy, the excitement, the flexibility, or simply better results for you?

Pabloro10321Micro-Stakes Grinder9 posts
Posted Aug 8, 2026, 6:54 PM#2

I only play tournaments, but that's mainly due to the amount of money I want to spend; if you have a big budget, things change.

Shooter74Micro-Stakes Grinder6 posts
Posted Aug 8, 2026, 8:51 PM#3

When I don't have much time, I play some cash games... If I have time, I prefer multi-table tournaments.

GrannySmit77Micro-Stakes Grinder21 posts
Posted Aug 9, 2026, 12:12 AM#4

First of all it depends on how much time I have to play poker. If I can only play a short session, then obviously I will play a cash game session. For tournaments you need to be able to invest a lot more time, just in case you run deep. So I play cash games when I cannot dedicate a lot of time to poker. When I can take my time or have more time off I will play tournaments.

userXNewbie4 posts
Posted Aug 9, 2026, 12:55 AM#5

I love tournaments. I rarely play cash games, I focused on tournaments.

TheNutz4YouNewbie3 posts
Posted Aug 9, 2026, 1:27 AM#6

mainly cash just because i hate being tied to the game 4+ hrs if I dont want to me like in an MTT. I also dont have the patience and usually get bored and punt off my stack in MTT's. In cash games I can play 6 or so tables for an hour and get my poker fix and go on with my day.

Nameless14Regular82 posts
Posted Aug 9, 2026, 2:00 AM#7

I prefer tournaments. I like the strategy, changing stack sizes, and the excitement of making it deep. Cash is great too, but tournaments feel more rewarding when everything comes together. ♠️🔥

CaioRJMicro-Stakes Grinder11 posts
Posted Aug 9, 2026, 8:53 AM#8

I play both, but I prefer Cash Game, less variance.

aajfilhoMicro-Stakes Grinder11 posts
Posted Aug 11, 2026, 9:45 PM#9

I play mostly tournaments but learned a lot watching cash game players.

cominiRegular44 posts
Posted Aug 12, 2026, 12:33 AM#10

I play both but I prefer tournaments, I can program myself better and play multiple screens at the same time. When I play cash games I only play two screens

DouganaMicro-Stakes Grinder13 posts
Posted Aug 12, 2026, 1:16 AM#11

Tournaments, but at some point I get a little bored.

TheniTMicro-Stakes Grinder11 posts
Posted Aug 12, 2026, 3:19 AM#12

I prefer playing cash games because I can choose my own schedule and stop whenever I want, but I also enjoy playing some tournaments when I have more time, especially for the excitement of making it to a final table.

RollerMicro-Stakes Grinder10 posts
Posted Aug 12, 2026, 3:31 AM#13

I prefer tournaments because I enjoy the strategy and changing dynamics. Cash is great for flexibility and steady decision-making, but tournaments give me more of that competitive excitement.

R.Melnyk77Micro-Stakes Grinder14 posts
Posted Aug 12, 2026, 3:36 AM#14

I prefer tournaments because I mainly play freerolls (https://www.casino.us/poker/best-freerolls/). Besides, in cash games, I’ve lost more than I’ve won.

Coolcassv9.Micro-Stakes Grinder15 posts
Posted Aug 12, 2026, 4:22 AM#15

I prefer tournaments because I feel they’re more profitable; in cash games, people call with anything, and what I don't like is players constantly coming and going.

MantinhooMicro-Stakes Grinder7 posts
Posted Aug 12, 2026, 6:00 AM#16

I enjoy both, but if I had to choose, I’d go with tournaments. I like the strategy and the fact that every decision can have a big impact. The changing stack sizes and situations keep things interesting, and I find the overall experience more exciting.

fundiver199Micro-Stakes Grinder14 posts
Posted Aug 12, 2026, 6:42 AM#17

I moved from cash games to tournaments 6 years ago, and the main driver behind this move was, that I found it easier to make money in tournaments. The main reason for this is actually very simple, and its called rake. Because every hand is raked in a cash game, you end up paying much more rake per hour, than you do playing tournaments with a similar bankroll (https://www.casino.us/poker/strategy/poker-bankroll-management/). Another way to describe it is to say, that you can level your skill edge in tournaments by occationally playing for significant money, when you run deep.

This is mostly true for MTTs though. For SnGs and especially single table SnGs the realistic ROI is much lower, so they easily end up being just as much of a "rake trap" as cash games. And for that reason I will say, that if you play either cash games or SnGs, its quite important to look both at, how much rake you get charged in the first place, but also the rakeback/reward structure of the site. If you dont do this, its almost like, you are working for the poker site (https://www.casino.us/poker/), because you might end up winning a lot of money from other players but paying nearly all of it in rake.

dreamer13Regular40 posts
Posted Aug 12, 2026, 7:24 AM#18

A tournament player becomes a prisoner of the event schedule. The desire to participate in events with fixed, guaranteed prize pools means being strictly tied to a specific start time. Session length is unpredictable—a successful run to the final table can take up to 12 hours in tournaments with slow levels starting at 12 minutes. Even a short break to attend to urgent matters is impossible. Otherwise, the player risks losing their chips.

StringyMicro-Stakes Grinder20 posts
Posted Aug 12, 2026, 7:53 AM#19

hyper tournaments, finish quick and need 1 or two good plays too get itm

NINA17Regular36 posts
Posted Aug 12, 2026, 9:11 AM#20

I definitely prefer tournaments because of the competition and the chance to win a big prize from a small buy-in.

didi58xxMicro-Stakes Grinder22 posts
Posted Aug 12, 2026, 10:43 AM#21

I prefer mtts - cash games are quite difficult for me - i do better on tourneys...

winner3699Micro-Stakes Grinder16 posts
Posted Aug 12, 2026, 11:08 AM#22

I enjoy both formats, but they require quite different approaches.

Which one do you prefer and why? Is it the strategy, the excitement, the flexibility, or simply better results for you?

Play both 2 hr cash,rest mtt so that bankroll goes up and up😇😄

allwaysbluffNewbie4 posts
Posted Aug 12, 2026, 1:15 PM#23

At this point in my life I prefer cash, but it's because it's more comfortable for me, I can go out at any time without any problem, but I admit that when I have the chance I'll play tournaments again, they cause more emotional stimulation in me

fernandovrMicro-Stakes Grinder9 posts
Posted Aug 12, 2026, 2:41 PM#24

I prefer tournaments. I enjoy the dynamics of the blinds, the strategy, and the possibility of progressing all the way to the final stages. For me, they are much more fun than cash games.

dompokerRegular50 posts
Posted Aug 13, 2026, 12:39 AM#25

I usually play tournaments, I rarely play real money (https://www.casino.us/poker/) games, depending on my time.

skaterickMicro-Stakes Grinder14 posts
Posted Aug 13, 2026, 2:36 AM#26

online SNGs and MTTs for me . the rake in cash games makes turning a profit very difficult .

ElTigreNewbie3 posts
Posted Aug 14, 2026, 12:04 PM#27

I used to play mostly cash games, but that has changed over the years. These days I’m pretty much 50/50 between cash and tournaments.

I find tournaments more fun, especially when I have enough time to play them properly. There’s something about the different stages of a tournament and the changing dynamics that I really enjoy. So if I have more time on my hands (https://www.casino.us/poker/strategy/poker-hands/), I’ll usually go for tournaments.

Marshmalo1994Micro-Stakes Grinder16 posts
Posted Aug 14, 2026, 7:39 PM#28

Which one do you prefer and why? Is it the strategy, the excitement, the flexibility, or simply better results for you?

I only play mtts. I like their dynamic, and also I find more exiting playing for a big prize, there's when I see the difference.

ExMoroccanRegular27 posts
Posted Aug 14, 2026, 8:10 PM#29

Tournaments 100%. Nothing beats the hype of getting deep in an MTT and hunting for a big score. Cash games feel way too grindy to me after a while, whereas tourneys give you that competitive, last-man-standing vibe that keeps it exciting.

edubabaMicro-Stakes Grinder5 posts
Posted Aug 18, 2026, 7:22 PM#30

I’ve been playing tournaments for a long time, but I also really enjoy the thrill of cash games 🤑💰. I know this makes my tournament play very aggressive. However, I’m constantly studying and fixing my leaks.

pcuchihaNewbie2 posts
Posted Aug 18, 2026, 8:40 PM#31

I definitely prefer tournaments. I like the challenge of starting with a limited number of chips and trying to build a stack through every stage of the tournament. For me, there is something special about surviving the difficult moments, reaching the final table, and fighting for the biggest prizes. Every tournament feels like a new journey, and that is what keeps me motivated to keep learning and improving my game.

Laller1992Micro-Stakes Grinder15 posts
Posted Oct 19, 2026, 6:14 PM#32

I prefer tournaments because I enjoy the challenge of building a stack, adapting to different situations, and fighting for a deep run. ♠️ The feeling of reaching the final table is amazing! Cash games are great too, but tournaments are more exciting for me.

bodil19982Micro-Stakes Grinder23 posts
Posted Oct 19, 2026, 6:17 PM#33

I hate playing cash games. I only play tournaments.

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