Also known as “ring games,” Texas Hold’em cash games are different from poker tournaments. The goal is to make money, not to eliminate other players from the table. The blinds never increase, so they do not need to be defended as rigorously as tournament play requires. Patience is a particular virtue for cash game players.
Based upon thousands of hours spent at the tables of casinos in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and other gambling capitals of the world, following is a collection of ten top tips for getting the very most out of live action Texas Hold’em played with real money at stake.
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- Get a Good Seat – Because money flows around the table clockwise, it’s ideal to have aggressive players seated ahead to the right and passive ones behind to the left. Avoid tables filled with maniacs or sharks. Never be shy about asking for a seat reassignment or moving to another table.
- Play Tight – There is no hurry at the cash game table, so lay fewer hands. Wait for the right cards in the right position to make big moves. Blinds don’t change; re-buys are allowed. There is no need to risk doubling up when short stacked. And in early positions, be especially tight.
- Play the Odds – It is essential for a cash game player to be able to quickly calculate pot odds as well as outs. Those who understand implied odds will have even greater success. Beginners will find this difficult at first, but knowing the odds is a critical skill that must be developed by every winning player. It is the key to making correct decisions.
- Don’t Chase Draws – In a cash game, chasing draws can become very expensive, very quickly. Inside straights rarely fill and three-card flushes die on the turn. Don’t be afraid to go after an open-ended straight draw or a four-card flush draw down to the river if the betting isn’t too aggressive. But when the betting is big and pot odds are not available, it’s time to fold and wait for a better hand.
- Pay Attention – Look for patterns. Identify which players are strong, aggressive and tight. Watch for tells, weaknesses and opportunities. Most players fold six out of seven hands. See who is paying close attention after folding and who is easily distracted. The latter are the fish. Don’t be one.
- Prey on the Weak – In the poker jungle, only the strong survive. Identify poor players and take full advantage of their weaknesses. Don’t feel sorry about taking as much money as possible off other players. Take it all. It’s part of their learning experience.
- Avoid Short Stacks – When the only decision left is “all in” or “fold,” all skill advantages are lost. Buy in initially for 100X the Big Blind—i.e., $400 in a $2/4 game. Retire or re-buy before being put on the all-or-nothing spot.
- Steal Some Blinds – In order not to fall behind in cash games, one must be willing to steal the blinds every now and then, even with weak hands. To stay even, that means stealing them about once every five times around the table at a full table.
- Bluffing is Okay – When the right opportunity arises, a well-timed bluff can add greatly to winnings and one’s stature at the table, especially for a player who rarely does so. Don’t overdo it, of course. Plan to bluff once or twice per session, saving it for big situations when it counts. And if caught in a bluff, just fold. It’s not the end of the world. In fact, it will make it harder for opponents to read future hands: “Is she bluffing again?”
- Remember to Tip – When winning in live cash games, be sure to tip the dealer every few pots. Dealers depend on tips to supplement their wages, which are very close to minimum. Just as importantly, those who do not tip are probably not regular players, so mark them as potential rabbits to be hunted.