There have always been two main ways of separating poker games and formats; the first focuses on rule variations and involves poker games like Texas Hold’Em and Omaha, whereas the second focuses on the game progression and involves cash games and tournaments. Therefore, new players may easily get confused when they hear the term cash games, especially due to the fact that all real money poker action can be considered a cash game.
However, cash poker games are, in fact, independently played poker sessions that are started and concluded in a single round. This can be better understood when compared to tournaments, which start with registration and then progress into several rounds until one winner is left. Cash games, in contrast, involve a group of players that can enter the game with as much or as little money they wish and that can play for as long as they feel like playing. Cash games never restrict players’ freedom to join or leave the table and rarely restrict the starting stack of the participants.
Other than that, cash games are just standard poker games that may come in all the glorious variants and formats. Their gameplay is pretty much the same and depends on the variant played, rather than the fact the game is resolved within a single round.
Now that you are familiar with the concept of cash games, it’s time to learn more about its main characteristics. These several things give cash games their charm and make them a first choice among thousands of poker fans worldwide. So, let’s take a closer look at the top four aspects which are freedom to enter and leave the game, the need of skill, the static gameplay and the lower variance.
Unlike tournaments that require players to register for taking their part and then play as long as they have playing chips remaining, the cash games leave players much more freedom in terms of joining and leaving the action. Namely, cash poker games are in fact individual gaming sessions that are played consecutively as long as there are enough players for the action to go on. Thus, a player can take a seat, play as long as they feel like playing and then leave even though they have playing chips i.e. cash left.
Even though lots of experts claim that winning cash is more likely when playing cash games, rather than taking part in tournaments, players must keep in mind that cash games also generally require more skill in order to win; or, at least, a different set of skills is needed. Cash games give players more time to develop their game and beat other players on the long run. Also, the fact that you aren’t limited with a starting betting stack gives you betting options that usually aren’t offered to tournament players.
It is widely believed that cash poker games are more static in various regards. First, the most obvious static regard is the table – cash games are played on a single table, while tournaments usually force players to change tables as well as opponents as they proceed to the next round. Second, the blinds are often identical on cash games and they rarely progress. Third, decisions made during cash games are considered more static than the ones made during tournament games; namely, cash games are always the same, except for the cards on the table of course, whereas tournament games quickly change the surroundings, the other players, the bet limits etc.
Static gameplay logically leads to less variance; a good example of this would be comparing players of cash games that fail to make profit in the course of four weeks to players of tournaments that may go without profit for months. Thus, even though tournaments are considered prestigious and rewarding (for the winners at least), cash poker games can be a much better option for those that want to understand the game and get comfortable with it.
Any poker player or any gambler should know by now that there isn’t a single game out there that doesn’t come in numerous variants and formats. This, naturally, applies to cash poker games as well; however, its two main formats don’t involve rule variations or betting limits, but rather a number of players. These two formats are known as Full Ring and 6-Max; each offering a unique development of the action, even though their only difference is the number of players allowed at a single table.
Full Ring cash games are those that allow nine or ten players on the table. Lately, these are hard to find since it seems that the world has chosen the 6-Max games as a favourite. Nevertheless, full ring cash action allows players to be conservative and engage in the game only when they hold very strong hands. This, obviously, leads to games that aren’t as aggressive as some players would like them to be. In full ring games, the disadvantage of playing first or among the first players is increased; thus, table position is even more important on such games. However, the less aggressive gameplay and increased number of opponents, on the other hand, makes full ring cash games a better option for inexperienced players that have bigger chances of being forced out by skilled players.
Just like the name of this cash poker game format reveals, it allows only 6 players on a table. Therefore, this format is literally opposite of everything full ring games are. The number of opponents is lower and hence each session is shorter and faster. Moreover, blinds are paid more frequently and the aggression is on a high level. In other words, the stakes are high and the thrill is even higher. The position of the player should be taken into consideration when playing 6-Max cash games, but it is not as important as when playing full ring games; after all, it’s not the same to be the first among six players and the first among nine players. However, as scary as 6-Max cash games seem, they offer increased opportunities to skilled poker players that can use all these cons to their own advantage.
Since cash games are a huge hit among players worldwide, it comes as little surprise that these are offered at popular online poker sites. Players that carefully pick a reputable poker operator and complete the simple registration process can take part in cash poker games in no time. Naturally, they must fund their poker account first in order to be able to place bets; however, there is little restriction as to how much they can deposit and then use in the game.
Thanks to top-notch poker software, starting a game and taking a seat usually takes no more than a minute. Once the playing screen is loaded, players are ready to start their poker adventure by placing blinds and taking various actions (call, fold and raise). Online cash poker games are resolved quite fast, with the winner taking the entire pot. Seconds after one cash poker game is over, the software lets players start a new one by placing the blind or exit the action by leaving the table.
