Cash Game Strategy

Complete guide for online and live cash games

Why Cash Games?

Cash games offer the most consistent way to make money in poker. Unlike tournaments, you can leave whenever you want, and your chips always have real monetary value. However, strategies vary significantly between online Zoom, online regular tables, and live games.

Online vs Live: Different Games Require Different Strategies

Online Cash Games

Fast-paced action with tougher competition. Requires solid fundamentals and quick decision-making.

Higher hands per hour (up to 200+ in Zoom)
Generally stronger player pool
Smaller pot sizes and bet sizes

Live Cash Games

Slower pace with weaker competition. Exploit recreational players with adjusted strategies.

Slower pace (25-35 hands per hour)
Weaker player pool with more recreational players
Larger bet sizes and deeper stack play

Online Zoom / Fast-Fold Strategy

Zoom poker requires a tight-aggressive approach. With no history on opponents and constant table changes, you must rely on fundamentals and strong hands to build your stack.

Key Strategy Points

Play a tighter range - you can't exploit specific opponents
Focus on premium hands and strong positions
Stack off only with very strong hands (top pair good kicker+)
Avoid marginal spots - the next hand is seconds away

Common Mistakes

✗Playing too loose trying to see flops
✗Overvaluing weak top pairs or middle pairs
✗Calling down with marginal holdings

Online Regular Cash Game Strategy

Regular tables allow you to gather reads and exploit weaker players. Table selection is crucial - your win rate depends heavily on playing against the right opponents.

Exploitative Strategy

Identify and target recreational players
Adjust your ranges based on opponent tendencies
Take detailed notes on regular opponents
Stay at profitable tables, leave when games get tough
Use a HUD (PokerTracker, Hand2Note) to track statistics

Multi-Room Strategy

Maximize your table selection by having accounts on multiple poker sites:

More game selection - find the softest tables across all sites
Better rakeback deals by comparing offers
Avoid sitting in tough lineups when better games exist elsewhere

Live Cash Game Strategy

Live poker is dramatically different from online. Larger bet sizes, weaker opponents, and physical reads create a unique environment where you can significantly outplay your competition.