While luck is prevalent within online poker, so too is skill. From bluffing and 3-betting to fast-play, one can adopt various strategies for their game. Doing so increases the probability of maximizing pots, outwitting opponents and maintaining a healthy bankroll. 

Whether you’re playing a poker cash game or a tournament, it entails playing against opponents who each enter the table with an arsenal of tricks and skills. Without utilizing strategy, you’re exposing yourself to exploitative players. During the early rounds, experienced players often monitor their competitors’ skills to identify the good players from the bad. And once they’ve spotted weak opposition, they’ll target them throughout the game.

To avoid becoming a target to exploitative players, you must enter the table knowing, at least, the bare minimum: betting options, hand ranks and the betting rounds. But usually, more knowledge is needed. Going beyond the basics will equip your game with practical skills, making you better prepared to fend off aggressive opponents and capitalize when holding strong hands. Here are several cash-game tips and strategies to help you dominate the table. 

What Is a Cash Game?

An online poker cash game is when players play for real money. And if you run out of chips, you can buy back in, meaning the overall pot increases throughout the game.

As with all poker games, albeit in a tournament or regular match, there’s a minimum buy-in to enter the game, along with small and big blinds. The buy-ins can range from $2 to $2 million. Remarkably, this figure can rise in some of the world’s most exclusive high-roller events.

Similarly to other casino table games like blackjack and roulette, cash games happen 24/7. With no set beginning or end, players can join or leave whenever they please. This aspect makes it a great casino game to play with friends, just like multiplayer slots.

The Advantages of Playing a Cash Game

The flexibility of joining or leaving whenever you please makes it an excellent option for gamblers on the go. Additionally, unlike tournaments, players can quit while ahead, meaning the likelihood of walking away with some money is greater.

Another benefit of playing cash games is its controlled environment of fixed blinds, making it an excellent place to perfect your strategies or learn the basics. 

Moreover, you can usually enter tables with similarly skilled opponents. Beginners tend to play low buy-in games, whereas experts usually opt for medium-to-high buy-in games. 

As online games on a casino platform go, poker has some of the most themed tables and live dealer online casino games. Picture playing on a table with a James Bond-inspired look or “Ocean’s Eleven” theme; that’s possible in an online casino. 

Casino platforms are constantly releasing new and exciting poker variations. The same applies to online slots, which are becoming increasingly popular.

The Difference Between Cash Games and Tournaments

Regarding the poker cash game vs. tournament debate, each one has a large following of loyal players. 

One of the main differences between the two is that cash games focus on value, while tournament players focus on longevity, meaning the strategies should differ. For instance, without the option to make additional buy-ins, effective bankroll management is crucial. During tournaments, experienced players will often slow-play the first half of the game to read their opponents and ensure they have a healthy stack in the latter stages of a game. 

Another factor why tournament players emphasize bankroll management more is because the blinds begin to increase as the game goes on, unlike cash games, which are fixed throughout. 

In contrast, cash games usually attract aggressive bets and fewer folds as players can leave or join whenever. Many argue that winning is harder because more players are willing to chase the river.

An obvious difference between the two is that tournaments can entail playing a series of games, whereas a cash game is never-ending, and players can leave anytime. In turn, it means tournaments require a far stricter time commitment.

How Can I Protect My Hand in a Cash Game?

Understanding your positioning is crucial in poker. For example, those in early positions (small-blind, big-bling) have far less betting control than those in late positions (left of the dealer,) as those in the last position are the last to bet in each round. So, if you’re holding a strong hand when being one of the blinds, you should check or bet small rather than raising the pot and drawing attention.

When protecting your hand, the trick is to remain under the radar. Otherwise, if you play aggressively, you risk opponents folding and the potential pot size shrinking.

Another way to protect yourself is buying in on the minimum. This allows you to work your way up and may prevent you from making unneeded aggressive bets. It also minimizes the amount of money you can lose.

Overall, remaining unpredictable should be your primary poker cash game strategy. This entails mixing up your bets with raises, checks, folds and bluffs. The advantage of doing this is that your opponents find it harder to read your playing style and guess your hands. If they can identify how you approach specific hand ranges or hands, it’ll feel as if they’re always one step ahead, and the ability to maximize pots reduces. 

Play Poker on Borgata Online

With a wide range of tournaments and cash games available, Borgata Online is the perfect place to test your skills. Register today. Outside of poker, enjoy 24/7 access to various casino games, including jackpot slots, bingo, roulette and blackjack.