Cash Game Are there more d-bags at cash tables than tournaments? (1 Viewer)

[upNdown]

Not a loaded question at all, right?
I’ll play a casino or cardroom tournament once a month or more - average buyin around $100. I rarely play $1/$2. But I’ve played it a couple of times in the past couple of weeks and my overwhelming impression is that there are more d-bags playing $1/$2 than tournaments.
It seems like people are more social at a tournament table, like there’s just more joking around and pleasantness. It feels like at cash tables there’s more posturing, and more sitting around gritting teeth, waiting for the kill. And more anger about losses.
I know generalizations are terrible and my recent sample size is inadequate, I’m just wondering if other people have any take on this. It could all be in my head too, because I’m definitely less comfortable at a $1/$2 table than in a tournament.

 

[joker80]

With tourneys, the money is already gone. If you cash, it is a bonus. With cash games, every chip lost is more money lost. I think is the main difference in the game

 

[Lemonzest]

Yeah at tourneys everyone knows they will probably lose. It is just playing the lottery with better odds...

Cash games are intense because your whole stack can be in jeopardy at any moment.

Ignoring the technical dollar amounts I think busting a tourney is less stressful than getting felted in cash.

Also playing cash people can be stuck for 3+buyins and still playing which results in some angry individuals...

 

[Kain8]

Boorish people from a psychological perspective would be more prevalent in cash games than tournaments. You have to be punctual (i.e. considerate) to play in a tournament whereas a cash game you can show up whenever. If you get kicked out of a cash game for being rude, obnoxious, etc. you still get to take your stack with you. Tournaments, you'd forfeit your buy-in and goodbye.

Wait, now I'm reflecting on stating that when I prefer cash games to tournaments....

 

[JustinInMN]

It depends, I've played in friendly and ugly environments in both. But in fairness I do usually play limit when I play cash. Slow big bet games tilt me.

 

[v1pe]

I think your assessment is probably generally true. I think, in general, there are more recreational and fun players in tournaments. More grinders with headphones and sunglasses trying to make a living at the cash tables. Plus, like it's been said, there's generally more at risk at the cash table if playing at comparable stakes... And it feels worse to watch the money go.

 

[Dr Lecterr]

I think you’re correct. When someone gets taken for a cash game pot, it’s dollar for dollar. In a tourney, it feels more like an arbitrary value. I see this very thing at my own games. Subconsciously I think I run more tournaments for this exact reason.

 

[Keith M]

I think you are correct, but I still make more money at the cash game than tournaments

 

[upNdown]

I think you are correct, but I still make more money at the cash game than tournaments

I hear that. I’m pretty sure I would too, if I had a bankroll. But I don’t.
I think to be successful at a cash game, you need to sit down with a minimum of 3 buy-ins, that you’re not afraid to lose. And I do great at .25/.50 games where I sit down with $150 in my pocket ready to play. But for a $1/$2 game? I’ll be honest with you, there aren’t that many days where I won’t care if I piss through $600. And if I play with scared money it disappears fast, unless I get lucky early.
Tournaments have that fixed cost thing that eliminates any scared money issues for me. Whether it’s a $50 or $100 or $250 buy-in, that money’s gone, and I’m great tossing around the chips.
I’m sure this “scared money at $1/$2” problem colors my attitude toward the players around me at the each table/ Cause who cares if a douche is a douche if you don’t let him bother you? But if you’re gonna get pushed around because you’re afraid to lose your cash, suddenly that douche seems a lot douchier, I suppose.

 

[Poker Zombie]

Although I'm far more successful at cash games, I find low-dollar ($100 or less) tournaments to be the most fun. Jump into a $55 tournament and you get 2 hours of fun without even being mediocre. $55 in a $1-$2 won't even got you a seat.

Low-dollar tournaments lose a big chunk to the rake. Mathematical players know this, and steer clear of the -EV when the house is taking 33% in rake, so the game fills up with recreational players. People who are out for a night of fun, not players managing a bankroll.

Moving up to bigger tournaments, you start seeing a smaller % rake. This brings in more serious players, and the "d-bags" start to show up. Having played in a few WSOP tournaments, the d-bags were showing up in force - to the point I'm unlikely to play in another one, because people just didn't seem to be having as much fun.