Cash or MTT: which discipline to choose for steady poker earnings

Cash games and multi-table tournaments (MTTs) are the two main poker disciplines, each requiring its own strategy and skill set. In this article we will:

• break down the fundamental differences between the disciplines;

• compare key parameters in tables;

• explain how to adapt your strategy to stack size and game structure;

• give arguments for why more and more players are switching to MTTs;

• answer popular questions from beginners.

At the end of the article we'll answer the question of which discipline is more profitable in today's poker reality, so be sure to read the material through to the end.

You may save yourself months, or even years, of life by making the right choice in developing your poker career.

What is the fundamental difference between MTTs and cash games? 

When a beginner first tries their hand at poker, it often seems that cash and tournaments are the same thing: the rules are identical, the combinations are the same. But in reality there are big differences between the disciplines that completely change the strategy.

The fundamental difference lies in the goal of the game and how the chips work. In cash, every chip is directly equal to money, while in tournaments they have a conditional value, and that value only manifests when you reach the prizes.

Let's compare the main differences: 

1. Cashing out from the table

   • Cash: you can get up at any moment and exchange your chips for real money.

   • MTT: you can't leave the game with chips — their value only manifests when you reach the prizes.

2. Stack size

   • Cash: you can always top up your stack to the standard 100 big blinds.

   • MTT: the starting stack is fixed, and you can't top up.

3. Goal of the game

   • Cash: earn steadily over the long run by making profitable decisions. 

   • MTT: reach the prize zone (ITM) 

Thus, although the disciplines look similar on the surface, the difference in goals completely dictates the strategy: in cash the player strives for maximum profit "here and now," while in a tournament they aim for a long-term result tied to the prizes and the stages of the game.

Comparison by key parameters

Below we've put together a table that clearly shows exactly how cash games and MTTs differ. This will let you quickly see the strengths and weaknesses of each discipline and understand which format is closer to you.

* ICM (Independent Chip Model) is a mathematical model that converts the number of your chips in a tournament into a monetary equivalent. ICM helps you assess how much your chips are really "worth," taking into account the prize pool, the number of players at the table, and the payout distribution.

* Push/fold is a short-stack strategy (usually up to 10–20 big blinds), where the player has only two options left: push (all-in) — bet your entire stack, or fold — muck your cards.

* Knockouts (KO) are a special tournament format in which part of the prize pool is distributed not only for reaching the prizes but also for eliminating opponents.

* Variance is the spread of results over the long run caused by the element of chance in the game. Even if a player always makes the mathematically correct decisions, short-term results can differ greatly from what's expected: you can win series of pots with weak hands or, conversely, lose with the strongest combinations.

Strategic differences between the two disciplines. How to adapt your game? 

We've compared the goals of the game and the basic parameters of MTTs and cash. Now let's look at how these differences are reflected in strategy at the table.

Why choose MTTs?

At the beginning of the article we promised to figure out which discipline looks more attractive in modern conditions. Based on the current situation in the poker industry, we'll settle on MTTs — and here's why: 

1. Cash is becoming less profitable. Poker rooms are raising the rake* and introducing restrictions for players that reduce profitability. In MTTs there are practically no such changes, and the conditions are stable. 

2. Big winning potential with low investment. Even with a small buy-in you can win prizes many times greater than your starting investment. In cash there's nothing like that. 

3. Weak fields at the low stakes. More amateurs come to tournaments, attracted by the chance of a big win. This increases your EV compared to the tough pool of poker professionals in cash.

* Rake is the commission that a poker room takes from each pot played or each tournament as its profit.

For more than 10 years, the FunFarm poker school has been teaching players to make money specifically with tournament poker. 

Our coaching staff consists of professional players with an ABI* of 50+ and many years of experience playing MTTs. We know how to win and, more than that — we know how to teach players to win alongside us. 

* ABI (Average Buy-In) is a player's average buy-in for entering tournaments.

Join our team to start a professional career as a poker player.

FAQ 

Why do wins come less often in MTTs than in cash?

In tournaments you often have to get through many blind levels and survive to the prize zone — only a portion of players make the prizes. That's why, even with correct play, long stretches without winning sessions are possible. In cash, by contrast, every chip is real money, and with a good winrate you can earn a steady income after almost every session. 

Why is variance higher in MTTs and how do you prepare for it?

In every tournament the blinds rise, the stack shrinks, and there are fewer players — all of this increases the influence of luck on individual hands. That's why in MTTs it's important to have a solid bankroll, psychological resilience, and the ability to manage your emotions so you don't give in to tilt during downswings. 

What does cash give you that tournaments don't?

In cash you get a stable structure, fixed blinds, deep stacks, and the ability to control session length. 

Which is harder technically — cash or tournaments?

Each discipline is difficult in its own way, but in different aspects. Cash requires a strong understanding of postflop and deep-stack play. Tournaments are more about the volume of strategic decisions: ICM, playing against short and medium stacks, and adapting to the stages and styles of your opponents.