Cash games v. tournaments

[Reel Deal]

I'm coming to the realization that while I really enjoy tournaments they have clearly been -EV for me, while at the same time cash games are very much +EV for me.

I'm getting tired of playing well for several hours only to be either cold decked or sucked out on and then bang, you're out with nothing to show for it. The play at the lower buy-ins (where I must play to stay w/in my roll) is horrible and making moves (like a squeeze play) is lost on these people (tried one last night and a guy risks over half his chips to my squeeze play with A9o ). I just don't think it's worth it for me.

Cash games, on the other hand, I have no problem staying patient and waiting for a big hand and betting it hard. I can steadily increase my roll through the $25 and $50 NL tables. Only problem is that gets boring at times.

Anyone else dealing with something like this? Do you just set aside a certain amount to play tournaments? Do you just stick to cash games? I'm starting to think that since tournaments are clearly -EV for me that I should just avoid them completely (problem is, I enjoy them more than cash games). What the fuck is an old guy supposed to do?!?

[Spidey44]

I'm in the same boat RD. I think tournies are more "fun." While cash games can get boring at times especially when your cards are cold. Although playing cash games with your buddies is usually a fun time.

[PShabi]

Multitable.

2 cash games, one tourney.

[Talking Poker]

Cash games are the slow and steady grind. Tourneys are usually a slow and steady decline of your bankroll with occasional LARGE swings up. I find it very difficult to understand how some pros can play ONLY tourneys. It is very possible that they will be down for the YEAR by playing only tourneys. How can someone mentally handle that?

I used to use cash games to build my roll, and then play in tourneys with the profits. This kept me slightly up or slightly down until the inevitable large upswing - those sure are nice

Lately, I've been all over the place. After hardly playing any cash games for month, I was having a bad run with tourneys (this is how it is MOST of time time as a tourney player), so I decided to focus on the cash games again.... and now I've been having a bad run with those! Yikes.

I guess it's up to each individual to find the right balance for them. Just remember, your bankroll is going to have a LOT more variance in tourneys that it will if you stick to the cash games.

[greenbuckets]

This works for me. I agree with most people. I love the competition of tournies but cash games are where the profits are.

[eejit101]

I play 2 cash tables at once, normally 3/6 6MAX and a 2/4 6MAX.

if i play a tourney ill normally stop the cash tabling, i play different ways in each and have gotten lost in the past. I can multitable up to 5 cash tables, but i dont like to mix. Saves me money.

And weirdly im up more in tourney this year so far, by about $1k