Online poker is a game that requires different capabilities and skills for ring games and tournaments. Online poker tournaments are different from ring poker games online as both the games require different strategies. You will find many poker players who are good in tournaments but not in ring games and vice versa. That is, they will win in one and lose in other because it becomes difficult for ring game players to adapt to the strategies and skill set of poker tournaments. Following are some key differences between ring games and poker tournaments:
Bankroll
Ring games require a player to hold a huge bankroll. So, if you have a required skill set, proper bankroll and follow game strategies, then you can be a winning cash game player in the long run. However, you don’t need to hold bountiful bankroll for playing online poker tournaments. An initial investment can go a long way.
Number of Pots Won
While playing online poker games, you must have come across many tournament players who don’t perform well in ring games. In the crucial stages of tournaments, players need to try really hard and win a high percentage of pots to survive in the tournament. On the contrary, ring game players easily surrender pots as they don’t have to win every pot they are in.
Skill Set
Poker players good in ring games need to possess perseverance, rhythm, mathematical skills, an ability to overcome bad beats and a habit of turning up everyday and playing better than the opponents. On the other hand, in tournaments, players need to take hold of day and need to know the poker game rules while possessing patience, critical reasoning skills, and quick-witted action.
However, there do exist great poker players who can win both tournaments and ring games just by understanding the game differences and acquainting themselves accordingly. It merely takes different cognitive approach to outshine in both the game formats. Thus, the secret to winning poker tournaments and ring games is played good, and play correctly depending on the game you are in.