Multi-Table Tournaments Offer Greater Variance, More Frustration

Q: Should I Play Cash Games, SNGs or Tournaments?

A: A common question that we see from people who want to grind poker for a living - should I play cash games, SNGs or multi-table tournaments?

This is a personal question and the answer can largely vary depending on your personality, time availability and more.

Let's take a look at the pros and cons of all three - cash games, SNGs and Multi-Table Tournaments.

Cash Games

Pros - you can play whenever you want, and your sessions can be as short as you like

Cons - cash games tend to be more "boring" than multi-table tournaments. Also, people generally play less cash game tables than SNGs or MTTs

SNGs

Pros - more "robotic" type of play means that you can generally load up more tables, which can increase your returns

Cons - SNGs, again, can be classified as "boring" compared to MTTs. Many people simply don't like playing SNGs as there is no big prize (unless you are playing Spin or Go's or something similar)

MTTs

Pros - plenty of excitement, as there is always the chance for a big prize if you make a deep run

Cons - Variance can be horrible in MTTs, and you need discipline to maintain your cool and focus when a big downswing comes. When things are going well, MTTs are the best thing ever, though the downswings can be brutal

In addition, many decisions are almost automatic in MTTs, which makes it possible to load more tables

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If you are good with bankroll management and have plenty of time (meaning, you can block out a full 10-12 hours to play poker), you may want to try multi-table tournaments.

If you want to generate more consistent income and maybe don't have as much time to devote to poker (maybe you have a job or are still at school), you might want to look at SNGs or cash games.

In short - the style of game that you play really depends on a number of different factors, including time, discipline and bankroll management.


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