There are a multitude of differences between cash games and tournaments. Most successful online poker tournament players assume that making the jump to dominating cash games is extremely simple. After all, it’s just poker, right? If you’re successful playing single- and multi-table tournaments online, shouldn’t you be a champion at cash games? Think again. There are only a handful of cash game pros that have found success in tournament play and vice versa. Phil Ivey, Eli Elezra, and Jennifer Harman are three names that come to mind. However, keep in the back of your head that playing cash games on PokerStars, for example, is completely different from playing tournaments on the same site. A new mentality is required for successful cash game play. Here are some basic tips for playing cash games for all of you tournament players out there:

1. Be prepared to go broke. When you buy in for $50 at a $0.25/$0.50 no limit cash game table, there’s a chance that you’ll lose your entire $50 in one hand. Find yourself with kings against aces or set over set and, chances are, you’re going to go broke. It’s unfortunate, but it happens. While this might not seem like a big deal for tournament players who are used to dumping $200 for a buy-in, tournaments take a lot more time and require a multi-stage strategy. In cash games, the blinds stay the same and the players change constantly, making tournament strategy a non-factor. By the same token, all it takes is a few unlucky circumstances in a cash game to lose your entire bankroll. Unlike a standard tournament, you can rebuy into a cash game in the click of a mouse, making the prospects of tilting away even more money relatively good.
2. Set limits. Just like you have limits in how much you’re willing to spend on a tournament buy-in, set limits on how much you’re willing to lose or win at a cash game. Once you get up or down $250, for example, it might be time to take a break and watch football. It’s critical to set both a stop-loss as well as the maximum amount of money you can win. If one of these thresholds is met, walk away from the table and take a break. Identifying what your limits are based on your bankroll is a must in order to make the transition over to cash games.
3. Attack players. In cash games, the name of the game is identifying who your opponents are and exploiting their styles of play. You’ll find a lot of hyper-aggressive players in ring games as well as a lot of extremely tight players. Because your opponents will change constantly, make sure you keep diligent notes to remind yourself who is utilizing what strategy. In tournaments, you can sit back and play tight. You can’t do the same thing in cash games.
4. Recognize the importance of pot odds. It’s very difficult to bluff in limit cash games. Because of the limits, you’re constantly giving your opponents the odds to call you, making executing any piracy a fairly complicated endeavor. In no limit, bluffing is much more common and a necessary strategy in order to win. Poker pro and Ultimate Bet spokesperson Annie Duke once said, “If you haven’t gotten your hand caught in the cookie jar, you’re not playing successful no limit hold’em.” It’s a true statement by one of poker’s top minds. Only bluff if your opponents don’t have the odds to call. Write that sentence down and follow it when you play.
5. Play low stakes when you’re learning. If you’ve never played cash games before, play in a low-stakes game to get your feet wet. Get used to the action, to taking notes on players, and to utilizing pot odds before you start moving up in levels.

Although many tournament players are able to find success in cash games, the two require opposite styles of play. Best of luck at the tables.