Why Cash Games Are BETTER Than Tournaments

[@LinusK500]

The main difference is that in cash games there's an incentive to keep the fun players at the table.

[@NorCal_Poker]

💯

[@fialee8]

If you aren't a pro, pick the game with players you can win against. It might be cash, it might be a tournament, but don't pick a game full of sharks (when you are the fish).

[@NorCal_Poker]

Solid advice !

[@theejayzeeable]

@fialee Delete the segment "(when you are the fish)", because even if ur a shark, u shouldnt pick a game full of sharks because theres no edge to be had there.

[@patrickboom4079]

How to build a BR, pick a game you can beat and play it A LOT. ;-) How true.

[@baronyang4164]

That comment about the 2.2x raise is gold lmao 😂

[@NorCal_Poker]

I see it way too much lol

[@bgate8212]

Well im one of those poor poker players who enjoys tournament poker. Im not good at poker lol but I've cashed plenty of tournaments at capitol casino. My cash game skills are terrible but im hoping from watching content like yours and Brad Owen's I'll get better at cash game poker. Another great video sir!!

[@NorCal_Poker]

Don’t get me wrong, tournaments seem super fun & Capitol is one of the few places that do a decent job with their structure. Most suck 😬 But you’ll get there for sure!

[@lroongin7752]

u have to watch rampage poker hes got great cash gameplay

[@Poker-in-VR]

Love the topic! My poker experience is different, for sure - being able to toss on a VR headset during my lunch hour and get in a quick 30 min (virtual) cash game session is freaking awesome for example. But overall, as I think about taking part in live, in person poker I recognize cash games are the place for me - I like to be able to get up and leave exactly when I want to, when the session is going rough and I'm getting frustrated. In tournament I think I'd build bad habits of continuing to play when I'm tilted, or worse, just giving up and reinforcing that as a "thing" at all.

[@NorCal_Poker]

I’m 100% with you on this!

[@BigTee1973]

I agree with just about everything you said about tournament vs cash. I'm a small-time grinder and really enjoy your vlogs. I think you're brutally honest about a lot of things and enjoy the content with your supposed monotone voice 😂 honesty is refreshing and even though I don't agree with all your poker plays that you make the content is relatable because it's honest. A+ vlogs keep up the good 👍 work

[@NorCal_Poker]

Appreciate the kind words my man! Just try to be as honest as possible with everything, whether that’s my opinion or results!

[@MattNunez89]

It's not supposed monotone voice... it is monotone voice. It's cool though. No biggie. Fux with the channel

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

Thanks for the shout out, that hand will be on my next vlog. Your analysis is spot on, its like your reading my mind.

[@NorCal_Poker]

No problem, congrats on 10k!

[@ambientexpanse]

Had a good laugh out loud at the local laundromat about #5, lol (the ICM bit was comedy gold as well 🤣).

[@NorCal_Poker]

🤣

[@patrickboom4079]

I see rake for tournaments mentioned a lot. The rake here is usally 10% for most tournaments, which is very much beatable. 20% or even 30%, yeah, that starts to look unbeatable. Online rake for tournaments is usually around 7% to 10% too

[@lucasongaming554]

How you get aces at least once every session or even multiple times is pretty astounding tbh

[@NorCal_Poker]

If only I can win with them more often than I lose 🤔

[@ariera9873]

1 in 244 hands/cracked 1 out of 5x/adding extra villain vs heads up to a flop % drops to 41% winner(80% winner if heads up).✌🤠

[@markikn3183]

That 7 4 twopair lay down was good play.

[@NorCal_Poker]

Appreciate that Mark!

[@billthecanuck]

i play cash 2/5 mostly, sometimes 5/10 at a couple local casino's and a handful of times i've bumped up to 10/25 but that's a bit out of my bankroll range at the moment.. It's been about 15 years since i played a tournament. Normally i travel to a city when wsop or WPT is going on and just try to jump into 5/10 cash games going on during the tournament, those events draw in a lot of action. I try to avoid anything lower than 2/5, i'm just not good at it. One thing i do know, is whenever a tournament player sits down at my regular 2/5 game all the regs know it's a tournament player, and nearly every time the tournament player loses to the cash regs.

[@NorCal_Poker]

Happens a lot!

[@LandoE1]

I like both. I just love Texas Holdem in general

[@NorCal_Poker]

Love that!

[@OfficialGidfather]

Another top tier video

[@NorCal_Poker]

Appreciate that! 🤌🏻

[@pokertroll320]

The rake on the small stakes tournaments is often obscene too. On a $100 tournament, they might take out 30%. That’s basically unbeatable. When you get up into the $300+ range, the rake usually starts to be more reasonable, but it’s still tough to beat the win rate you’d have in even a $1/3 game. I do jump on any of the larger than normal but still local tournaments, cause the rake is better, the top end is better, and more worse local players end up joining.

[@NorCal_Poker]

100% agreed! I’d I ever do play a tournament it’s gunna be a bigger one to make it worth it!

[@patrickboom4079]

Always important to look at the rake, both for cash as well as tournaments. In the games we see here, seems like the rake is capped at $5/hand, which is ok I guess, (but increased with the tips). Playing tournaments with 30% rake is insane, why would you do that….

[@marksimpson2321]

You are my favourite poker vlogger atm. You dont go for clickbaity rubbish. You don't swear much. Your videos have good audioband picture quality. You play stakes I can just about manage to afford and you have sensible life style habits. I think.

[@NorCal_Poker]

Appreciate that analysis mark 🫡

[@JaxAndree]

Just foundnyour channel. I used to be a reg in sac games. I miss it. Gotta get back in the games. Keep up the great work!

[@NorCal_Poker]

I appreciate the support & hope to see you back!

[@fernandolucero8847]

I play both, I enjoy low entry tournaments the most, not much pressure but fun. You get to know your opponents

[@NorCal_Poker]

They are pretty fun!

[@CFICare]

I'm a tournament regular. I've only played cash once and I made a profit but I'd say I more or less agree that tournaments are better for players on a tight budget since the buy ins are usually a lot cheaper. If you've got $300+ dollars burning a hole in your pocket, cash games are for you. If you're a newer player, I'd say low stakes tourneys are a great way to get some volume in at the table.

[@NorCal_Poker]

Solid feedback. I agree!

[@thejunkwarrior]

With the first hand I feel like people don’t usually value bet just a 10 on the river, they usually check it down when a over card comes

[@NorCal_Poker]

I can see that!

[@ariera9873]

Can't enjoy the highs without the lows. You hold your own and have a good read on your house regs. We've seen you capitalize (really not punny) on your player profile reads time and again. Sorry to see you couldn't get anythhing going with the deal, flop, or wild luck. Good to remember that you are a winning player, you rate with your monthly average, and that you know when the session is a dud that you have a pre set exit time in place instead of chasing losses. Big issue with cash gamers is that they will stay longer when they are losing thinking it will turn around (even though often they are not playing their best at a big deficit), and opt to leave early when they are winning (on a heater). Good that you set yourself up for 2 on the dot win or lose. Very good principle. Always enjoy the vlogs and good luck with your move. Oh yeah, Doug is crafty and capable of pulling of the "occasional" big bluff because he has solidified his reputation as a tight/solid/thinking player. I like how you caught yourself from throwing away the KK hand right away. Sometimes you just gotta flip a coin knowing that you guys now have a friendly vlogger rivalry. Bragging rights etc..😆 That board with that river was cringe, but at the end of the day if you are right on the middle- maybe make him pick a card = red, I call black, I fold. It's fun to play back and put your friends in a spot they aren't expecting. Just an idea to mix it up.

[@NorCal_Poker]

Appreciate the feedback & I like the coin flip idea, always a fun one!

[@CoolHandC]

I found your vlog by watching Doug’s vlog. Keep up the good work!

[@NorCal_Poker]

Appreciate that & will do!

[@KingBuc37]

In some of the live cash games I've played, I've encountered some really smelly people playing in those too, so it's not just MTT's, of which I am going to be playing at the WSOP in 2.5 weeks kicking off with the Salute to Warriors $500 NLHE. My start in Hold'em was online MTT's pre Black Monday and with how the online scene is these days, I actually prefer live MTT's. Due to my work schedule though, I can never play any of significance, save for a Daily or 2 and that's if life doesn't get in the way. The freedom of playing cash is a big +, no denying that.

[@NorCal_Poker]

Solid story & no doubt!

[@spacecoastsurffishing1726]

I've played both and been successful. I find it much easier to stack players in cash games.

[@NorCal_Poker]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@rickrodriguez717]

As a tournament player. I don’t like cash because of the deep pockets you may face. When I play freeze out tournaments everyone is 100% equal. No rebuys so everyone must play with great courage and great fear of being felted.

[@stefanocortez7207]

Bro your comment about smelling tournament players so true. I'm mainly a cash player in these tournament. People that show up to cash games kill me. Hoodies, headphones, sunglasses etc. You know it 😆

[@NorCal_Poker]

Haha the worst!

[@eddcooper86]

I do like the odd tournament here and there but tbh I definitely prefer cash games, the freedom a cash game offers a player can't be understated, go play wen you like, leave wen you like, lovely

[@NorCal_Poker]

Exactly my thoughts!

[@ant5632]

Players are always telling me to play tournaments and im like nahh lol. Nice advice, ur preaching to the cash game choir lol

[@NorCal_Poker]

That’s my crew!

[@Robrogamer]

schwartz is nasty 😷bro has to smell! I Love to experience tournaments from time to time, but i definitely enjoy cash games more!

[@NorCal_Poker]

Nothin wrong with a good mix of both!

[@jonathansykes4986]

Tournaments are good because you can bink a big score for a massive bankroll boost and in live tournaments, there are a ton of people playing a $200 to $1,000 buy-in tournament that would struggle to beat their local 1/3 game. Also ICM has always been a thing, even back in the glory days of 2004. ICM is not for poor people. Also false that it's only applicable in later stages, it's basically applicable when 25% of the field is gone (based on normal payout structure, adjust accordingly).

[@NorCal_Poker]

Fair, but I still prefer ca$h til the day I’m no longer here 🤩

[@rafaelmoraisdossantos497]

Yes you got bluff 😅in the hand with Doug

[@NorCal_Poker]

Haha yup!

[@patrickboom4079]

It is a different style, different game. Cash game have a lot going for it, especially because you can start/stop whenever you want and it is extremely easy, because you only play at 1 stack depth (100 BB or more), which is relatively easy to learn. Yet, for me, it is boring as hell. I literally fall asleep after an hour or so, as each spot is the same. But cash games provide a relatively safe way of grinding up, if you are good, in a steady upward direction. Tournament poker is more time consuming and a lot harder due to all the various stack sizes and payout implications, not to mention the effects of bounties on the ranges when those are in play. Yes, you cash way less than with cash games, which is why you will experience more variance/swings. You will be down from your maximum bankroll almost 90% of the time, which is mentally tough. Yet, unlike with cashgames, you will break through by occasion to the final table on a big tournament and win anywhere between 50 to 500 times your buyin or more. Getting the most out of those is where you bulk of the profit comes from and is very rewarding ;-) All and all, different paths to the same endpoint. Cash is more steady but boring, tournament more up/down, but exiting. Take your pick…

[@joshmorrow9872]

Profitable tournamemt players are the best players in the world. Average players can make it playing cash but not in tournaments

[@NorCal_Poker]

This video isn’t directed at the top of the top in either field. I agree massive tournaments are awesome, but very few have the chance to play those stakes. Most tournaments suck tbh

[@chiprjones]

I rarely have multiple days or even just one full day I can dedicate to a tournament. Cash is so much more flexible.

[@NorCal_Poker]

Exactly, same for me!

[@johnn9977]

True

[@reganstanding9072]

Tournament is fun once in a while but loses its magic when you grind all the time. Plus cash is better because you have so many more weapons and are deep.

[@NorCal_Poker]

This is super accurate!

[@pricekeene511]

He’s got a set of Jj?

[@timhefner4056]

Maybe I missed it... But I never understood why poker players (mainly nits) let the house take such a huge percent of the tourney money. That's the #1 reason I avoid them.

[@NorCal_Poker]

Exactly, they take so much!

[@emmanuelvacakis4463]

They are taking a 20% rake in tournaments. That’s tough to beat.

[@NorCal_Poker]

Exactly!

[@dl3049]

How do log every play and every thought during a hand? Are you taking down notes simultaneously such as: opponent chip counts, your chip counts, bet amount, everything, and then later try to recount what happened during your editing of your videos? There's just too much going on.

[@NorCal_Poker]

I have a filming phone & regular phone. Take notes on my regular phone right after the hand

[@SavagePoker81]

You should try tournaments and see how good are you.. coz tourney & cash are two different field!

[@NorCal_Poker]

No doubt they are, just hate committing to time for a tournament

[@theejayzeeable]

@Wewill Tournaments show u how lucky u are, not how good u are. Any luckey donkey can win a tournament.

[@noahhhhhhh14]

only reason i say tourneys are better for some is because of poker bank roll not being as big it’s easier to get bullied when having less chips in the table

[@NorCal_Poker]

Respect the opinion. If you’re limited in bankroll & wanna take a shot on occasion then tournaments are better. But to build max profits, cash are 1000 times better unless you’re playing in deep mid-high buy in tourneys

[@JNailon]

I play both because I can play hours in tournaments for a smaller amount of money. However, to make a min cash you need to beat 85% of the field. To make good money you need to beat 95% of the field. At a cash table beating 85% of the field is way more profitable.

[@NorCal_Poker]

I respect it! Tournaments are a lot easier to play & you know the exact amount you’re willing to lose which is an upside 👍🏻 I’m just all about those cash games & the high upside!

[@JNailon]

Can I ask. How do you keep track of your hands and action? Paper, go back and watch video, enter on phone?

[@NorCal_Poker]

@@JNailon I have two phones. Bought a cheap one to record & my main phone to take notes ✍️

[@patrickboom4079]

@@NorCal_Pokeri tend to disagree ;-) tournaments are much harder due to all the variables and scenario’s you face + you will NOT be playing your regular opponents most of the time of which you have tons of mental notes….

[@jasonsitu5287]

Unless playing wpt tournaments for a million or WSOP or else cash is less variance. Tournaments is more of a coin flip situation when people jam is basically a gamble to see five cards on the board

[@NorCal_Poker]

Yup either big tournament or cash. No doin those small ones with all that variance!

[@jasonsitu5287]

@@NorCal_Poker agree it’s waste of time

[@CharlesJRead]

I play both. Question - when was the last time you won 15K off a $400 buyin? I have done it! In a TOURNAMENT!

[@NorCal_Poker]

Nice score! Most play that same tournament 20 times & maybe min cash or small score 1-2 times 😬

[@theejayzeeable]

@CharlesJRead You think that u won 15k, but after taxes its less than 10k. Then u remember that youve lost way more than 15k lifetime in tourney buy ins, then u feel dumb lol

[@cindymadison2580]

I've played 3 tourneys.... won one. Still can't stand the play for #1 and #2 that you cited. Cash ONLY for me!

[@NorCal_Poker]

Glad we’re on the same page ✍️

[@christophera434]

I agree with the aj hand although it felt like a value bet. I wouldn’t fold top pair there either. The kings hand is weird, a good player should be able to put you on at worst aj when you call his raise, but given the raise on the flop, he should never have a5, so I think it’s probably kj, qj being a bluff. Seemed too weird to me but maybe he just had a 5 🤷‍♂️

[@NorCal_Poker]

Yup I think 56 most likely as the straight but probably a bluff tbh

[@michaelcarr6306]

You are right, cash only.

[@NorCal_Poker]

🫡

[@49ersfan21]

You know what I like poker that’s pretty good too

[@NorCal_Poker]

Haha you’re not wrong!

[@federalmayhem]

@13:48 🤣

[@NorCal_Poker]

🤝🏻

[@SOMEBODYUNC]

? What’s your three bet range…..

[@NorCal_Poker]

All player dependent!

[@SOMEBODYUNC]

@@NorCal_Poker I would recommend limp three betting because your playing to many multiple way pots

[@NorCal_Poker]

@@SOMEBODYUNC very valid point. But these players love either limping or calling. So if I limp it’s usually a limp fest & I don’t get my value by raising. At Capitol casino I’ve basically committed to going multi way

[@jk40369]

You know what I agree with you you. I don't think I am a very good tournament player anyways I get to bored. I think it takes to long to win a little when I can be on a cash table winning more plus better action but that's just my opinion. Granted there is some great tournament players out there and who do make a lot of money too. But I agree you definitely can tell when a tournament player plays cash game and slot of times they are no good at cash games either. Jay from Tennessee 😎

[@NorCal_Poker]

I get bored too. Then playing all that time to miss the cash or even min cash seems like a waste to me 😆

[@patrickdippel7336]

You won me Over the with this video lol

[@NorCal_Poker]

Glad I could accomplish that 🫡

[@ozarksparadise2714]

Is One Time Poker on GG correct?

[@NorCal_Poker]

Hmm not too sure wear one time poker is

[@ozarksparadise2714]

@@NorCal_Poker yeah i went back and looked. i was confused.

[@Williy_Nilly]

I entered a $25.00 $15,000 guarantee unlimited rebuys tournament. 875 total buy-ins and rebuys. 7.5 hours of play, and my KK got cracked to bust out in 24th Place. I only won $92.00 😮 WTF??

[@NorCal_Poker]

Proving my point 🤮

[@spaffron4285]

Zues is a genius

[@NorCal_Poker]

‼️

[@Mr.Curiosity89]

Even I agree that cash is way better than tour, there is something you missed to mention bro. You will never make as much money in cash games as in tours. Richest poker players in the world are those who won some major titles + there are also bounties where you can earn a fair amount of money. And when we talk about time, there is no big difference. You can go on 8 hours cash session to play maybe 10 hands and lose few grands.

[@NorCal_Poker]

True, but that’s just the handful of big tournaments! The majority of them kinda suck 😆

[@nickg408]

I was promised a reveal in Doug’s video. I was disappointed.

[@NorCal_Poker]

😆

[@GotloLuna68]

This years WSOP was almost unwatchable bc of all the lame tanking....especially at Main Event!!

[@NorCal_Poker]

Bring back old school personalities!

[@jokerpoker-]

Cash is king

[@NorCal_Poker]

That’s my motto 🙌🏻

[@ryanlarsen9235]

Tournaments pretty much end up like bingo, once the blinds get big. U just ship it all in and hope. It is not real poker. Any ace, all in and hope. BINGO

[@NorCal_Poker]

Preach!

[@patrickboom4079]

Not really, it is about stealing pots which do not belong to you to avoid getting into that spot of 6 BB where you are forced to shove indeed. You therefore require more knowledge to what can be profitable shoved and what not at those stack depths. In CG, life is easy. 1 stack depth, simple decisions.

[@comeundone2024]

Cash 100%

[@NorCal_Poker]

‼️

[@pricekeene511]

Cash

[@markg6796]

Dude really made a video on why he can't beat tourneys! 💀💀🤡🤡🤡

[@NorCal_Poker]

I don’t have all day to play a boring daily tournament 🥱

[@fialee8]

Please don't replicate Doug's channel style... it's taken him prob three or four years (or longer) to get to 10K subs, and you've gotten 4K subs pretty quickly. He's changed from being a down to earth vlogger to someone who appears to have gotten an ego... so please stay grounded.

[@NorCal_Poker]

I have nothin but good things to say about Doug!

[@fialee8]

@@NorCal_Poker I'm not saying he's a bad person. But his vlog style has changed over the years, and it's not for the better (IMO). That said, he's become a much better player than when he first started vlogging.

[@ambientexpanse]

Is this Polk or that McCusker fella ya'll are referring to, lol?

[@ant5632]

This dude better not be talking shit about doug lmao😂​@@NorCal_Poker

[@patrickboom4079]

It is a different style, different game. Cash game have a lot going for it, especially because you can start/stop whenever you want and it is extremely easy, because you only play at 1 stack depth (100 BB or more), which is relatively easy to learn. Yet, for me, it is boring as hell. I literally fall asleep after an hour or so, as each spot is the same. But cash games provide a relatively safe way of grinding up, if you are good, in a steady upward direction. Tournament poker is more time consuming and a lot harder due to all the various stack sizes and payout implications, not to mention the effects of bounties on the ranges when those are in play. Yes, you cash way less than with cash games, which is why you will experience more variance/swings. You will be down from your maximum bankroll almost 90% of the time, which is mentally tough. Yet, unlike with cashgames, you will break through by occasion to the final table on a big tournament and win anywhere between 50 to 500 times your buyin or more. Getting the most out of those is where you bulk of the profit comes from and is very rewarding ;-) All and all, different paths to the same endpoint. Cash is more steady but boring, tournament more up/down, but exiting. Take your pick…