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acesfullokings9 · Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 8:45 am Post subject: Changes in Strategy

I've only been playing poker for about a year, and almost exclusivly tournaments, where I have have all of my very limited success. I've defiantely improved my game over the last 6 months, but still like to awake the donk within, especially after a long day at work.

I've had a little go at rings, and manage to donk money away.

What would you guys say is the main difference between tournament strategy and ring game strategy. I seem to be getting my head around tournament play and have been getting sucked out on a lot though, but that happens, but I would really enjoy not being dead money in a cash game.

Any advice welcomed.

Cheers people.

KGBlovesOreos · Moderator Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 5318 Location: VA

The main difference between tournament strategy and ring game strategy is that, in tournaments, there is a rush to acquire chips due to the increasing blinds and the need to win. So, as a result, you see players pushing all-in left and right with hands that are pretty weak. In ring games, there is no need to acquire all the chips you can, and there are no increasing blinds. There are also much deeper stacks in ring games, so as a result, you should have much much much stronger hands to commit everything to a pot. This I find is the biggest difference between the two seperate games, yet far too many players fail to realize this.

USFDoh · Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 9:49 am Post subject:

One of the other differences I see is that in tourneys, the money is committed when you buy in whereas in ring games it is the stack in front of you. I think this makes players in the two games play a bit different, not saying that it should, just that it seems to.

OP I also have the same issue, better at tourneys than at ring games. All I can say on that is just keep playing solid poker and it will happen.

BOYNAMEDSUE · Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 10:03 am Post subject:

I see this a lot. People buy in for the max, 100 BB's, and when they get down to 40 BB's or less they start donking their chips away, like it was a sng. Moving all-in with KJ or A9. No need.

I also see people fail to adjust hand values. You might want to move all-in in a tourney with AQ if you're getting a little short staked, but in cash game I don't think I'd ever get all my money in with AQ. Hand values go down in cash games, because the blinds don't increase.

griffinlord · Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 10:34 am Post subject:

A lot more patience required in cash games.

In nl cash it seems that you play about 1, sometimes 2, big hands per hour. The rest is just staying even or building your stack slowly. The blinds don't change so you can afford to play this way. And it makes sense...you are really, really focused on long-term results.

The other difference is that you can quit. In a tourney you go till you have all the chips or none left. If you play cash game and double up, you can take your money and leave. You don't have to try and double up again and again taking unnecessary risks to get all the chips. Sure, if the game is good you may want to sit around and try to pick up some more money, but you don't have to. And you certainly don't have to sit and donk off your chips in order to leave. If dinner is ready, cash out and go eat.

acesfullokings9 · Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 3:45 am Post subject:

Thanks for the responses people. I feel that all my game needs improvement and I am trying to study the game and improve. I am waiting for several books to arrive from amazon, hopefully they will help.

acesfullokings9 · Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 6:35 am Post subject:

I just sat at a .05/.10 cash game with $10 and left with $23, hopefully a start in the right direction.

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