Everything You Need to Know About Cash Game Poker

The cash game is a different gaming structure from poker tournaments or sit & go, and is generally not recommended for beginners. Indeed, playing in cash games requires excellent knowledge of the rules, techniques, and strategies. But what exactly is cash game poker? What are the rules? How do you play well in this type of game? We’ll explain everything!

What is cash game poker?

As the name suggests, cash games are a way to play poker where players play directly with money during the game. Each chip represents the real amount invested, which is why cash games are reserved for experienced players. Cash game tables typically have six to nine players, but there are also tables with two or three players: the Heads-up format. Another specific feature of cash games is that players can sit down and leave the table whenever they want. Most games are played very quickly, although some professional poker players play for days at a time.

Differences between cash games and tournaments

The formats of cash games and tournaments are very different and evoke different sensations:

The investment is different, as in a tournament, the player only pays the entry fee (buy-in), and generally, all players start with the same amount of chips. In cash games, players exchange money for chips, and each table has a minimum and maximum buy-in.
The rules regarding blinds and their progression are different, so the gameplay varies.
The number of players is much higher in tournaments, which changes the variance.
Cash games are played at one table, while tournaments may involve multiple tables.
In cash games, players can leave the table at any time and exchange their chips for cash. In tournaments, the game ends when a player has won all the chips.
If a player loses all their chips in a cash game, they can rebuy, whereas in a tournament, losing all your chips means elimination (unless re-entry is planned as part of the tournament).

The rules of cash games

How do the blinds work?

As in other poker formats, cash games are played with multiple betting rounds: pre-flop, flop, turn, and river. The unique aspect of blinds in cash games is that their amount is fixed at the start and does not increase during the game.

The types of betting limits

There are three types of betting limits: No Limit, Pot Limit, and Fixed Limit.

No Limit

In a No Limit game:

The minimum bet equals the big blind.
The maximum bet equals the player's stack (all of the player's chips).

Pot Limit

In a Pot Limit game:

The minimum bet equals the big blind.
the maximum bet equals 3x the previous bet + all bets placed + the pot already consulted. to the amount of the pot.

Fixed Limit

In a Fixed Limit game:

The minimum bet equals the standard bet, set in advance.
The maximum bet equals the standard bet, also set in advance.

Advantages and disadvantages of cash games

Advantages of cash games

Schedule flexibility

The main advantage of cash games is the ability to join a table at any time and leave whenever you wish. Moreover, it is possible to play online or in major casinos 24/7.

Immediate winnings

In cash games, each hand can bring in money, and the player's chips are exchanged for cash as soon as they leave the table.

A wide range of variants

Many poker variants are available in this game structure: Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Courchevel high low and Stud 7 cards, in Pot Limit, No Limit, or Fixed Limit, depending on your preferences.

Choice of table

In cash games, you can choose which table to play at, allowing you to select based on the number of players, betting amounts, and more.

Disadvantages of cash games

Variance and risks

Variance refers to the short-term fluctuations of results compared to the expected average. In cash games, the risks can be high and affect the player:

Risk of bad runs: streaks of several losing hands that can negatively affect the player's morale and self-confidence.
Risk of tilt: an emotional and negative reaction after bad runs, which can cloud judgment and lead to bad decisions that impact the bankroll.
Bankruptcy: the risk of losing all your chips due to poor bankroll management.

Bankroll management

Experienced players can make a lot of money in cash games, but this poker format can also lead to significant losses. It's possible to lose everything after just a few bad hands. To avoid this risk, it is essential to manage your bankroll well, meaning the money dedicated to poker.

Technical difficulty

Cash games are a very competitive poker format, where most players master many advanced playing techniques.

Strategies for playing well in cash games

Bankroll management

It is crucial to manage your bankroll well, never risking more than you can afford to lose. To do so, it’s important to set a limit and stick to it.

Choosing tables and opponents

In cash games, you can choose your table and opponents. Whether online or in a casino, it’s a good idea to ask yourself a few questions before choosing, depending on your preferences:

Who are the players at the table? Do you know them?
How many players are seated at the table?
How much money is on the table?
What is the skill level of the players at this table?

Bluffing techniques in cash games

In cash games, an aggressive playing style is often effective. It can be a good idea to place large bets and raise frequently, which can intimidate other players and cause them to fold, allowing you to win the pot. Bluffing can be interesting if you carefully evaluate the risks from the beginning of the hand. Before attempting a bluff, it's important to consider the number and type of players still in the game, as well as their positions, to assess the chances of the bluff succeeding.

Two types of bluffs can work well in cash games:

Bluffing on the river, as a lot of chips are at stake at this point, and this bluff can help you avoid a showdown with a weak hand.
4-betting preflop: this type of calculated risk often forces other players to fold. If they don’t, the flop will give you a better picture of your hand, and you can continue bluffing with a continuation bet. If there’s a significant raise on the flop, you can fold without losing too much money.

Adapting your game to opponents

It is essential to observe your opponents' playing style and analyze their habits to adapt your gameplay accordingly. Pay attention to how they bet, when they fold, and when they raise. Once you understand their playing type, you can adjust your own accordingly:

Against an aggressive player, you may choose to play more conservatively to avoid losing too many chips.
Against a passive player, you may choose to play more aggressively to force them into difficult decisions.

This adaptation must remain flexible, depending on each situation.