Cash game poker is what many poker stars began on. These games, which can occur in online poker rooms or at casinos, allow people to place bets on single hands, or multiple hands of poker. The players can come or leave as they desire, and this provides a much more, informal and relaxed atmosphere.

Tournament poker is quite different. Most tournaments require a fee to enter which, for some tournaments, can be quite hefty. Tournaments usually try to pit same skill level players against each other, to see if they can keep up with their competition. Also, tournaments do not allow players to switch tables or leave without being disqualified. However, most tournament poker games end with the winners making a large amount of money, and the other players making less, or no money at all.

Cash and tournament poker are two totally separate ideas. Whether you want to play a quick game of poker at your local casino, or go to a poker tournament and win a large amount of money, you need to know how to play a good game. Make sure you know what you are getting into before starting to play poker in a tournament or in a plain cash game. Sven’s Tight Poker Tips is a great source for poker knowledge!

Photo credit: Free Poker Photos.

I’ll give you the rundown of a hand I almost cried about.

I have AK suited under the gun and I raise 4BB. I flop the nuts with QJT with two of my suit too so I’m on the royal draw on a jellyroll. I bet out knowing one guy behind me is a calling station — bet 70% pot. I get two callers. Turn is a blank and I check. Player behind me bets and I shove all in for about two pots. Player behind me calls with jack and the blank that fell. River pairs the board with another 5 (the blank) to make donkey a full house.

I busted him two hours later.

Ha!

Anyway, last night was such a night. Playing $2/$5, luckily, so only losing about $200 in the process. A perfect hand:

I’m in early position with A9 suited, and decide to raise 3BB (a play I don’t usually make). I get minreraised and nobody calls — I do. A play I usually wouldn’t make again. Flop comes AJ3 rainbow. I bet right out (a play I would usually make hehe) and get re-raised about 3/4pot. I call.

Turn comes a queen — I check, villain checks behind me.

River comes a ten. I check, villain bets 50%pot, and i call. Villain had AK.

MEH. Tilt play.

Walked in with about $2000 in my pocket, went straight for the 5/10 game, my favorite at the casino here. Started off playing aggressive, making button-raises, following through on the flop most of the time. I bought in for $600, and after about an hour I was up to $1100. Not bad, seeing as I hadn’t been involved in any big hands. At that point, I went into a period of severe card-deadness. Best was like 67os.

Alright, so I got hungry. I asked the cardroom manager if I could have a steak, and he said: “sure my friend!”.

Took a mushroom-sause one. Very good.

While eating, I pick up AA. Nice! I raised 3BB, and another guy shoves right away. He had like $400. I instacalled. He had 99. Nine came on the turn.

Okay, he didn’t have too much cash. No disaster.

3 Hands later I picked up QQ. I raised 4BB, and got two callers. Flop came AQ9. I bet out, I get raised, I shove, I get called. Villain turns over JT, no flushdraw. King hit the turn and I got no help on the river.

Broke.

Rebought for $700. Asked for the stake to be taken away. Tripled up the next hand when I flopped a set of tens and filled up on the river to take the pot. JT-villain had Aces. Ah sweet Irony!