The old debate of cash games vs tournaments is never ending amongst serious players. But whether you are as cash game player or tournament player, there is no disputing that tournaments win the popularity contest though. There are several reasons for this, which we will explore in this article.

Cheaper way to learn

Poker tournaments are the best way to learn poker, short of playing freerolls. When you enter a tournament, you know you can win a lot for risking little. If you sit in a cash game, you can get eaten alive and lose lots of buyins. Moreover, you are playing with real cash. This is not true for tournaments where you know the maximum you can lose is the registration fee. It could also be argued that tournament poker reduces the professional’s edge on opponents. With shallower stacks and increasing blind levels, all in before the flop is far more common – and this gives new, recreational players the chance to win.

The Prestige

Most gamblers have an ego. It’s not just about the money, the idea of defeating hundreds or thousands of players is an ego boost like no other. The prestige of binking a tournament win is very sweet. It’s even more fun when it’s completed without doing a deal with your opponents. Continue reading “Why Are Poker Tournaments Popular?” →

Gambling is a game where two players agree to take part. They usually use money to bet, where the loser pays the money to the winner with the result being uncertain. The other player nowadays can be not only a person but a machine, software or ultimately a company. Gambling is a good way of making money at the same time as being fun; however you should remember to play within your means, thus safeguard your money. It is taking a risk with this money in the hope of winning, or with an intention of winning, to speculate on gain; often this money is called your ‘bank’.

Gambling can either be betting on sports, buying a lottery ticket, playing roulette, poker or casino.

Gambling can be addictive and if you are not careful can ruin your security. It is the fear of losing and the joy of winning that causes this cycle that many can find habitual. To avoid this you should control your gambling urge, that is, don’t allow the gambling temptations to control you, which can make you lose the game by making errors of judgment. Before you gamble ensure that you are aware of how likely you are to win the game and don’t mimic others, place a bet according to your means, a portion of your bank.

Evaluate yourself, maybe you are going to lose or win, probabilities are strange and you can end up on a losing streak as easily as being on a winning streak. On a losing streak, the professional gambler knows they must take a break or adopt a strategy to get past it. However if you are winning just go ahead and play, again within your means. Do not be tempted when on a winning streak to overstretch yourself and bank all of your money in the expectation of winning once more.

When you visit a casino to gamble, ensure you have paid all your bills first, let it be a luxury and not a priority. Avoid using your ATM at the casino. You should have a limited amount of money when going to play. Avoid playing when you are on drugs or alcohol, because you need a clear mind to avoid emotional decisions and stick to the strategy you set out with.

If you want to be the best gambler, don’t imagine that gambling is ‘the’ source of money. Use the money you can afford to lose, set time and money limits, never chase losing streaks. Learn to quit while you are ahead.