Poker Cash Game Tips

As always the cash game is a bit different than the tournament and can be played a bit differently. However, there are some basic tips to make sure your game is ready and that you are always playing your A game.

I agree with every tip Deal-em gave you earlier. Some of these are simple in nature, but we have all violated everyone of them at some point. Now that you are playing as a serious player, not recreational anymore, things must change.

Never play tired:

This sounds simple but I can't begin to tell you how many people i see after work, late at night, or who have been there on a 24 hour binge playing cards. This only leads to mistakes which will cost you money. When you are tired, you will misread your hands, the board, the players, the odds and on and on. The game is not going anywhere, always be mentally and physically ready to play the game. When you start feeling tired and the effects of the long day, its time to cash out.

Do not drink heavily when playing:

Again, I always see and "hear" the drunk guy playing cards. This shouldn't be you becuase if you are a serious player (like we hope you are or at least are trying to make you) you better be protecting that bankroll at all times. When you drink to much you tend to play any 2 cards and screwing around and in the long run it will cost you.

Maximize your rebuy:

When you play no limit the tables usually have set buy-ins, 100, 200, 400, etc... Each of these games only allows the set limit on your initial buy in. However, if you want to add additional chips I suggest you ALWAYS take advantage of the short-by option.

The short buy is that any person is allowed 1 (only 1) short buy - usually half the original buy in amount during the game. When you want to rebuy chips if totally broke use this option. For example if you are at a 100 NL table give the chip person $150. For one hand (and one hand only) you are playing with $50. The very next hand you are allowed to use the extra $100 and now your stack is at $150. This is a huge difference in the ability to defend a bet or big hand with an all in move. Considering your lost $100 is sitting in someones stack you are at an immediate disadvantage when only buying in for the minimum.

Start learning your players:

Odds are you are playing at a local casino where you live. If this is the case, you will see the same people over and over and over again. Most of the never change their styles, which is to your advantage. Most of these players are locals and get to know all the other locals but are not really watching how people play or tendencies or patterns. When you walk in after not having played for a week or two you are a nobody to them. They will have no idea who you are or how you play. Again, this is to your advantage.

In cash games knowing your competition is so much more easily done than in tournaments. Therefore you must really get to know your competition. In your games, there will be two people that are so easily read, there will be a couple people you remember, one that is tight as a board, and the other one is just plain, couple wild cards who you have to pay attention to and then you. The better you know the players, the better the game will be for you.

Picking your seat:

At first you do not get the option, you take whatever seat is open. But as the game progresses seats will open up and people will move. Personally i am not a big fan of moving to a "hot" seat. I know i can outplay most of the people so the seat really doesn't matter.

However, what does matter is where the chips are and where you are. Try to get the loosest player at the game on your right and playing before you. Now there is some disagreement among people about the tightest player at the game, i tend to like that person on my left and some like him on the right. My simple reasoning to this is that i like to know if there is a big hand behind me. If i make a play and the tighest player is going over the top im pretty confident that he has a hand. Some people like the tightest player to act first so they "save money" i just disgaree with that. I like the ability to get away from the hand rather than trying to go "back over the top" to the tighest player. Lastly, try to get the big chip stack or your right. This lets you have some play at them which is what you want.

Always change your game:

Since you will be playing with alot of the same people over-time, you must remember to do things out of character. Be aware that even though you are reading the players, some of those players are reading you as well. Don't be the one to give the tell or pattern away at the table. From time to time you have to change things up so players are not sure what to put you on or what you may be sitting on.

Protect you bankroll at all times:

No ATM runs or Credit Card Advances or borrowing from buddies. If you didn't set out with it in your pocket, then it's not supposed to be played that night. Remember to set the limits for the day. Win or lose there has to be some parameters to your game and once that bankroll is gone you now are playing from a position of weakness and will play scared or stupid to try and get it back. Just play with the days limit.

Patience:

Poker is not a game when you sit down and 5 minutes later you have won thousands of dollards. It takes time to win and therefore you have to have time to play. If you are a serious player, then give yourself a reasonable amount of time to play. 8 hours is a good number. Typical work day and more than enough time to play through the dead spots. With a blinds based game, you will get many "free" hands. Therefore when you look down and see 2-7 and
3-8 offsuit for an hour, you still have time to make your money when the cards change. And they will change.

When you set your limit for the day, seek give yourself the time to reach it. If you are way ahead of schedule and over the limit, great, but don't let that go to your head and suddenly 2 hours later your down because you didn't walk away.

Overall the game is one of skill. Yes there is a luck factor to it at times, but ask yourself why you keep seeing the pros make the final tables (even if not winning it all) time and time again. Overtime the odds do work out and come into play. On any given day it may not be your night, but there will be those days when you catch everything in site. Taking away both those days, keep the game simple and remember to go over the basics time and time again. Give yourself time to learn the proper aspects of the game, time to implement them into the game and time to play the game. In the long run it will be to your benefit.

19 chips per stack.