Hi y'all, cash or tournament? (2 Viewers)

[ekricket]

but a player whos buying in again at this point should really call it a night anyway.

Tournament players who are busting out early should do the same under this logic.

 

[ekricket]

I use the boredom for incentive. Tired of sitting by yourself for 20 minutes every poker night?

Play better Poker.

 

[ThePrototype]

I use the boredom for incentive. Tired of sitting by yourself for 20 minutes every poker night?

Play better Poker.

it might be me one day.

It keeps the degenerates quiet also, does my head in when people start getting loud and shouting while your trying not to be distracted. Because once they are out the drinks start flowing faster usually

 

[yarbsr02]

I'd vote cash...allows the game to start on time and stragglers can still jump on if they arrive late. As other have stated, keeps everyone in play until quittin' time with re-buys. We're playing low stakes social poker so take that for what it's worth.

 

[ThePrototype]

I'd vote cash...allows the game to start on time and stragglers can still jump on if they arrive late. As other have stated, keeps everyone in play until quittin' time with re-buys. We're playing low stakes social poker so take that for what it's worth.

I have just gotten a 700 piece set for this very same thing, the beer and bullshit night i like to call it. Starting stack for £10 its more of a social game with some music and beers, for the group of real friends not the friends of friends that come to regular games

 

[JScott]

4. You can simply outbuy your poorer players. No need for developing a skill, just keep putting more money on the table than they can afford and you can clean up

You can’t actually believe this? I’d love to have a shitty player with deep pockets at my cash games.

Rebuy tournaments are much more likely to turn into all in donkfests than any cash game.

you can play perfect poker and get knocked out of a tournament early, same can’t happen with cash because you can rebuy as long as you can take the variance.
I’ll take deep stack cash over tourney any day, less likely to see some donk go all in with 75 offsuit because “rebuy time is almost up” and crack aces.

sorry, but cash is just better poker, imo. I get the appeal of tournament, but you can’t say you only need deep pockets and no skill for cash.

 

[Eloe2000]

Play better Poker. Learn some skills.

Nah, just throw some money at it. that’s the lazy way. P

These same people that bust out that fast are the ones that spend three buyins for a couple of nights - because they are horrible players and then say fuck this shark fest.

Like I said, I host a social game and my comments were directed and fostering a social game. I go to the casino for the best gameplay.

But also I do play in various tournaments at other home games, office games, and casinos. You could have 9 or 30 or more equally skilled players and some are just going to bust out earlier than others. Sometimes good players get a bad beat.

 

[Kid_Eastwood]

Hi and welcome.
Usually I host a freezeout tournament followed by a cash game.

 

[ekricket]

You can’t actually believe this? I’d love to have a shitty player with deep pockets at my cash games.

Nice social game here, fuck that.

here is my perspective.

we play two nights a week with pretty much the same 8-12 people. Two of them are currently unemployed because of covid layoffs. Two are retired living on SS and pensions. Two of us are retired and live on retirement savings. One guy is a local builder and set, and one is a property manager.
It’s absolutely no problem at all to outbuy 4-5 of our players. I can put money on the table long after a couple have had to quit because of, well groceries and utilities.
Does this make for an enjoyable night or healthy for an extended invite list?
People don’t always tell you their financial situation. But it’s easier for them to budget a set amount a week for entertainment. It’s easy to rebuy, and nobody likes admitting they can’t afford it, so we take the high road and don’t put them in that situation where they are uncomfortable and then don’t come.
The situation is exacerbated some by a couple of the poorer players being calling stations.
I can tell them “play better poker”but to them this is their one or two nights of entertainment. they do play better now, we never have anyone go out in the first hour, and typically it’s into the second hour before anyone busts. But if we switched to cash a couple of us would literally take their lunch money every night they play. There is no time pressure, so we can wait them out.

With tournament, we all start in equal footing. Doesn’t matter what we make, what we bring, what we can spare, whatever, it’s all equal. No scared money no “hope the wife doesn’t find out” no paycheck loans, just an excellent social time.

 

[upNdown]

Nice social game here, fuck that.

here is my perspective.

we play two nights a week with pretty much the same 8-12 people. Two of them are currently unemployed because of covid layoffs. Two are retired living on SS and pensions. Two of us are retired and live on retirement savings. One guy is a local builder and set, and one is a property manager.
It’s absolutely no problem at all to outbuy 4-5 of our players. I can put money on the table long after a couple have had to quit because of, well groceries and utilities.
Does this make for an enjoyable night or healthy for an extended invite list?
People don’t always tell you their financial situation. But it’s easier for them to budget a set amount a week for entertainment. It’s easy to rebuy, and nobody likes admitting they can’t afford it, so we take the high road and don’t put them in that situation where they are uncomfortable and then don’t come.
The situation is exacerbated some by a couple of the poorer players being calling stations.
I can tell them “play better poker”but to them this is their one or two nights of entertainment. they do play better now, we never have anyone go out in the first hour, and typically it’s into the second hour before anyone busts. But if we switched to cash a couple of us would literally take their lunch money every night they play. There is no time pressure, so we can wait them out.

With tournament, we all start in equal footing. Doesn’t matter what we make, what we bring, what we can spare, whatever, it’s all equal. No scared money no “hope the wife doesn’t find out” no paycheck loans, just an excellent social time.

I’m with you 100% here.
Home games are social games, and fixed cost tournaments are good for that. We actually play cash, but it’s $50 buy-ins. That’s what you would spend on dinner or a movie. Nobody loses too much, nobody wins very much, but everybody has fun.
If I want to play for bigger stakes or a good tournament, I know where to go. (Of course, it helps that I’m lucky enough to have Encore and Foxwoods, both world class poker rooms, 30 and 90 minutes away, plus Mohegan Sun, Twin River, and a couple of good rooms in NH. So I can go play whatever I want whenever I want. )
But for people who don’t have easy access to good casino poker, I guess I can understand the problem.

 

[TheWhat]

Cash, no question.

Highly recommend doing what you can to get a set from the upcoming Chip Room sale. Quickest, and safest way to one stop shop.

 

[ekricket]

Before you take anyone’s advice here I’d suggest you do a second poll and find out who among these people giving you advice actually hosts a home game. There are a ton of “second hand opinions” everywhere on this site, people advising you on this or that and they don’t even play Poker. It’s just “common sense” and “everyone knows” and “that’s how my grandpa did it” so I’d suggest you vette your sources.

 

[TheWhat]

As a player? Tournaments, all the way. You need the skill of playing poker AND the skill of playing tournaments. You’d be surprised how many people lack at least one of those skills.
As a host? Cash. It’s just so much easier to host.

The skill of coming out on the right side of a coin flip that ultimately every Tourney hinges on? Forget that.

 

[ThePrototype]

Nice social game here, fuck that.

here is my perspective.

we play two nights a week with pretty much the same 8-12 people. Two of them are currently unemployed because of covid layoffs. Two are retired living on SS and pensions. Two of us are retired and live on retirement savings. One guy is a local builder and set, and one is a property manager.
It’s absolutely no problem at all to outbuy 4-5 of our players. I can put money on the table long after a couple have had to quit because of, well groceries and utilities.
Does this make for an enjoyable night or healthy for an extended invite list?
People don’t always tell you their financial situation. But it’s easier for them to budget a set amount a week for entertainment. It’s easy to rebuy, and nobody likes admitting they can’t afford it, so we take the high road and don’t put them in that situation where they are uncomfortable and then don’t come.
The situation is exacerbated some by a couple of the poorer players being calling stations.
I can tell them “play better poker”but to them this is their one or two nights of entertainment. they do play better now, we never have anyone go out in the first hour, and typically it’s into the second hour before anyone busts. But if we switched to cash a couple of us would literally take their lunch money every night they play. There is no time pressure, so we can wait them out.

With tournament, we all start in equal footing. Doesn’t matter what we make, what we bring, what we can spare, whatever, it’s all equal. No scared money no “hope the wife doesn’t find out” no paycheck loans, just an excellent social time.

Might just be me but that made for hard reading, i cant figure out what side of the fence you are on

 

[Naww_Mann]

Cash, no question.

Highly recommend doing what you can to get a set from the upcoming Chip Room sale. Quickest, and safest way to one stop shop.

What's this chip room sale, can you share a little more? Doesn't sound like just the Classifieds

 

[upNdown]

The skill of coming out on the right side of a coin flip that ultimately every Tourney hinges on? Forget that.

I don't know what to tell you bud. I'm a winning tournament player. I could quote you numbers over years, but it's no fluke.
It's true you have to get lucky to win any single tournament. But long-term, tournament results are about skill.

 

[TheWhat]

What's this chip room sale, can you share a little more? Doesn't sound like just the Classifieds

Go to the forum Vendors section, and look up Chip Room. Buys out old casino stock, and then sells the chips. Normally offers some sets prepackaged, as well as sales of individual chips, strict limits in the 1st hour, and then whatever is left afterwards.

 

[ekricket]

I don't know what to tell you bud. I'm a winning tournament player. I could quote you numbers over years, but it's no fluke.
It's true you have to get lucky to win any single tournament. But long-term, tournament results are about skill.

I’ve never talked to a cash player that wasn’t “ahead in the long run”. I guess it’s some kind of reverse rake that casinos have for card members or something.

I’ve talked to a whole bunch of cash players who suck at tournaments because they actually have to play and the results don’t lie.

 

[Naww_Mann]

So clearly lotta people here with different opinions of the cash games vs tournaments, I like that, I don't mind mixing it up a bit once in a while. Good suggestion from someone said to poll my friends and see what they like - now that's an entrepreneur talking right there, testing the market with a survey lol.

So just out of curiosity...when do your cash games end? When enough people bust out or don't feel like playing anymore? Is there a defined rule?

 

[Chawks45]

Knowing your friends/players will play a vital role in the decision you make.

For the record, I host and an overwhelming amount of the games at my place are cash. A lot of my regs and I also play a lot at the KC casinos -- correction: we did before COVID-19 -- so I know how they're wired. I don't mind tourneys, but I prefer cash, as do my regs.

Everyone will have an individual preference, of course, and this thread is a testament to that. The right answer will ultimately fall on what you and your friends/players want. Find the comfort zone by talking it over with your friends, and then go from there. I wouldn't push what you prefer on them or you might not have enough to fill a table if there's disagreement. One of the things I enjoy the most about hosting is ensuring the folks at my place are having a good time because they're comfortable.

Oh, get a hot dog roller if you're going to host.

 

[Kid_Eastwood]

So just out of curiosity...when do your cash games end? When enough people bust out or don't feel like playing anymore? Is there a defined rule?

When I host we usually define a time limit (around 3-3.30 AM) when the cash game ends.

Some players just spend one buyin only.

Depending on the variant being played we continue to play even if only 3 players are still there.

 

[raynmanas]

If cash is eventually going to be played anyway, what's the meaning of a tournament? (in my book, obviously)

tournaments work best for a league format, which a lot of more casual players prefer. in the league i play in, we have a cash game in between round 1 and round 2 of our league tournament games, with an occasional cash game night in between league nights with a more curated invite list.

and for me personally when i host, i am far more likely to get my "real" friends (as opposed to just poker friends) to play a tournament. i could easily expand the invite list and switch to cash, but i'd rather hang out with my good friends, and tournaments are what make them show up.

 

[upNdown]

I’ve never talked to a cash player that wasn’t “ahead in the long run”

Me. I’m way ahead in the home quarters games. But for $1/2 casino NLHE I’m way behind. I’m pretty much dead money as soon as I sit down. It’s like I’m lost at sea in a rudderless, leaking dinghy.
As opposed to tournaments, in the same casinos against the same players, I know when to hold em and when to fold em. It’s like I’m on a train, going in a straight line from point a to point b, with a narrative guiding me the whole way.

 

[JScott]

Nice social game here, fuck that.

here is my perspective.

we play two nights a week with pretty much the same 8-12 people. Two of them are currently unemployed because of covid layoffs. Two are retired living on SS and pensions. Two of us are retired and live on retirement savings. One guy is a local builder and set, and one is a property manager.
It’s absolutely no problem at all to outbuy 4-5 of our players. I can put money on the table long after a couple have had to quit because of, well groceries and utilities.
Does this make for an enjoyable night or healthy for an extended invite list?
People don’t always tell you their financial situation. But it’s easier for them to budget a set amount a week for entertainment. It’s easy to rebuy, and nobody likes admitting they can’t afford it, so we take the high road and don’t put them in that situation where they are uncomfortable and then don’t come.
The situation is exacerbated some by a couple of the poorer players being calling stations.
I can tell them “play better poker”but to them this is their one or two nights of entertainment. they do play better now, we never have anyone go out in the first hour, and typically it’s into the second hour before anyone busts. But if we switched to cash a couple of us would literally take their lunch money every night they play. There is no time pressure, so we can wait them out.

With tournament, we all start in equal footing. Doesn’t matter what we make, what we bring, what we can spare, whatever, it’s all equal. No scared money no “hope the wife doesn’t find out” no paycheck loans, just an excellent social time.

Im confused, earlier in this thread you said cash doesn’t take skill, yet in this post you say you’d eat the weaker players playing cash, so which is it?

I can’t stress enough that financial situations are irrelevant as to which is better poker. If guys are playing out of their comfort level for stakes, that’s a separate issue entirely. If someone’s unemployed and can’t afford to play poker, they shouldn’t play. Just like they shouldn’t be going out for a fancy dinner. If they can only afford tournaments, then play tournaments, but that’s irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.

put it this way, if going to a nice a la carte restaurant costs $150/night and your friends can only afford to go to a $25 buffet, it doesn’t mean the food is better at the buffet, it means they can’t afford the restaurant

Before you take anyone’s advice here I’d suggest you do a second poll and find out who among these people giving you advice actually hosts a home game. There are a ton of “second hand opinions” everywhere on this site, people advising you on this or that and they don’t even play Poker. It’s just “common sense” and “everyone knows” and “that’s how my grandpa did it” so I’d suggest you vette your sources.

I host weekly, and even during covid bi weekly. So is my opinion vetted enough? Games are full within 10 minutes of me sending a text. So must be doing something right.

Btw, I take no issue with someone preferring tournament poker, I do take issue with saying it (cash) doesn’t require skill like you mentioned earlier.

 

[ekricket]

Im confused, earlier in this thread you said cash doesn’t take skill, yet in this post you say you’d eat the weaker players playing cash, so which is it?

I don’t understand your confusion. We play tournaments only.

Btw, I take no issue with someone preferring tournament poker, I do take issue with saying it doesn’t require skill like you mentioned earlier.

You will have to point out to me anywhere on this site in any point in time where I said tournaments did not require skill. I think they require much more skills than cash, different skills in some cases (time management) exceptional people reading skills, and incredible amounts of planning ahead for future blind increases.
Cash is simple, wait, wait, wait for to ten hand, get your money in good, hope it holds, rebuy. Repeat until you can’t buy food tomorrow.

Look the Op was asking what works for a good social game. I’m assuming couples and friends looking for a good time, not liking to line their pockets. People are giving advice like “get weak players and fleece them” and that’s not what the op is asking for. He’s not asking what’s the best way to make money.

He’s asking what’s fun for a group. He has his answer, ask his group. our opinions don’t matter much in the face of that, but tournaments are better than cash in my book.

 

[JScott]

I don’t understand your confusion. We play tournaments only.



You will have to point out to me anywhere on this site in any point in time where I said tournaments did not require skill. I think they require much more skills than cash, different skills in some cases (time management) exceptional people reading skills, and incredible amounts of planning ahead for future blind increases.
Cash is simple, wait, wait, wait for to ten hand, get your money in good, hope it holds, rebuy. Repeat until you can’t buy food tomorrow.

Look the Op was asking what works for a good social game. I’m assuming couples and friends looking for a good time, not liking to line their pockets. People are giving advice like “get weak players and fleece them” and that’s not what the op is asking for. He’s not asking what’s the best way to make money.

He’s asking what’s fun for a group. He has his answer, ask his group. our opinions don’t matter much in the face of that, but tournaments are better than cash in my book.

You said cash didn’t require skill (post #12), just deep pockets. That’s what I meant in that last sentence, I’ll admit that was poorly written on my part. (Edited to make more sense)

I don’t want to go through and quote each post since I’m on my phone . But here you said:

“I can tell them “play better poker”but to them this is their one or two nights of entertainment. they do play better now, we never have anyone go out in the first hour, and typically it’s into the second hour before anyone busts. But if we switched to cash a couple of us would literally take their lunch money every night they play. There is no time pressure, so we can wait them out.”

does that not admit that in cash games the higher skilled guys can dominate the poor ones? Or do you really think you can just play TAG poker with a big roll and your other players would lose? Why can’t they play TAG?

Sorry this whole argument is stupid. Tournament poker sucks, but you do you, I’ll host primarily cash games.

 

[ekricket]

You said cash didn’t require skill (post #12), just deep pockets. That’s what I meant in that last sentence, I’ll admit that was poorly written on my part. (Edited to make more sense)

I don’t want to go through and quote each post since I’m on my phone . But here you said:

“I can tell them “play better poker”but to them this is their one or two nights of entertainment. they do play better now, we never have anyone go out in the first hour, and typically it’s into the second hour before anyone busts. But if we switched to cash a couple of us would literally take their lunch money every night they play. There is no time pressure, so we can wait them out.”

does that not admit that in cash games the higher skilled guys can dominate the poor ones? Or do you really think you can just play TAG poker with a big roll and your other players would lose? Why can’t they play TAG?

Sorry this whole argument is stupid. Tournament poker sucks, but you do you, I’ll host primarily cash games.

Wow, just change all your previous posts to mean the opposite. Nice debate technique, see it a lot anymore.

I still don’t understand any of your edited posts or how they relate to the OP question. It seems to me that you can’t handle tournaments so you play cash, and that’s cool. I don’t know how that helps the OP decide anything though.

Maybe you run your tournaments like you do your posts? Poorly written and easily misunderstood? Like I say, cash is simple. If you have skill just keep pumping money in until variance is on your side and the cash out. Sometimes that may take three or four days, but to some people that’s more fun than a casual evening with friends.

 

[raynmanas]

cash is simple. If you have skill just keep pumping money in until variance is on your side and the cash out. Sometimes that may take three or four days, but to some people that’s more fun than a casual evening with friends.

to be fair, tournaments are a different skillset, but still work the same in the long run. it just can take more than "three or four days" for variance to be on your side.

 

[joepro]

Welcome, @Naww_Mann !

Cash or Tournament, the answer is "Yes!"

 

[JScott]

Wow, just change all your previous posts to mean the opposite. Nice debate technique, see it a lot anymore.

I still don’t understand any of your edited posts or how they relate to the OP question. It seems to me that you can’t handle tournaments so you play cash, and that’s cool. I don’t know how that helps the OP decide anything though.

Maybe you run your tournaments like you do your posts? Poorly written and easily misunderstood? Like I say, cash is simple. If you have skill just keep pumping money in until variance is on your side and the cash out. Sometimes that may take three or four days, but to some people that’s more fun than a casual evening with friends.

See, now you’re just being a dick. I edited one fucking sentence to clarify what I meant by adding ONE word to avoid it being misread. If you bothered to read the posts you’d know that.

Hell, I even tried to extend an olive branch. Enjoy your tournaments, no sense us bickering here anymore.