cash game strategy
Alright, let’s talk about this cash game strategy thing, you know, for them poker games where you play with real money, not just chips you win and then can’t buy nothin’ with.
First off, you gotta understand the game. See, there’s these things called “blinds.” Like, the little blind, that’s the fella who gotta put in a dollar, and the big blind, he puts in two. This is before anyone even sees their cards! It’s like payin’ to just sit at the table, I tell ya.
Now, some folks, they play all fancy, like that Negreanu fella. He’s good, real good, at tournaments and cash games both. But you don’t gotta be fancy to win, see? You just gotta be smart.
What’s this GTO thing they talk about? Game Theory Optimal, they call it. Sounds all highfalutin, but it just means playin’ in a way that nobody can take advantage of ya. You know, like always bettin’ the right amount, raisnin’ when you should, and foldin’ when you gotta. It’s about bein’ balanced, they say.
- Be Aggressive: This ain’t no church picnic. You gotta be aggressive to win. Don’t just sit there waitin’ for good cards all day. You gotta push them other fellas around a bit. Make ’em think you always got the nuts, even when you don’t. Aggression wins, that’s what they say. It usually works, but don’t be stupid aggressive, you still need good cards sometimes.
- Play Tight: Okay, so I said be aggressive, but that don’t mean playin’ every hand. You gotta be picky, see? Play tight, that means only playin’ good cards. Like, big pairs, good aces, that kinda stuff. Don’t go playin’ no junk, ’cause that’s a good way to lose all your money fast.
A good poker cash game strategy starts with playin’ tight and aggressive. It sounds easy, but it ain’t. You gotta learn when to be aggressive and when to be tight. It’s like a dance, you know? Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow.

And don’t forget about them stack sizes. That’s how much money folks got in front of ’em. If a fella’s got a big stack, he can push you around more. But if he’s got a small stack, well, he might be more desperate. You gotta pay attention to that stuff, I’m tellin’ ya.
You also gotta learn about pot odds. That’s just how much money is in the pot compared to how much you gotta pay to stay in the hand. If there’s a lot of money in the pot, and it don’t cost much to call, well then maybe you call even if you ain’t got the best hand. But if it costs a lot, and the pot ain’t that big, well then maybe you fold. It’s just math, but it’s important math.
Here’s some more tips for ya, from an old lady who’s seen a thing or two:
Pay Attention: Don’t just stare at your own cards. Watch them other fellas. See how they bettin’, how they reactin’. You can learn a lot just by watchin’ folks.
Don’t Be Predictable: If you always bet the same way, them other fellas gonna figure you out. You gotta mix it up, see? Sometimes bet big, sometimes bet small, sometimes bluff, sometimes don’t. Keep ’em guessin’.
Manage Your Money: This is important, real important. Don’t go bettin’ more than you can afford to lose. Set a limit for yourself, and stick to it. Poker’s a game of ups and downs, and you don’t wanna lose your shirt in one bad night.
Learn from Your Mistakes: Everybody makes mistakes, even the best players. The important thing is to learn from ’em. After you play, think about what you did right, what you did wrong, and how you can do better next time. And don’t be too hard on yourself, it’s just a game, after all. But if you wanna win, you gotta learn from the whoopin’s you get, not just the pots you won.
Practice, Practice, Practice: You ain’t gonna get good overnight. You gotta practice, play a lot of hands, and learn from your experiences. The more you play, the better you’ll get. It’s like anything in life, I guess.

So there you have it, some cash game strategy tips from an old lady. It ain’t rocket science, but it ain’t easy either. Just remember to play smart, be aggressive, pay attention, and manage your money, and you might just come out ahead. And most of all, have fun. If you ain’t havin’ fun, then what’s the point?
Tags: Poker Tips, Cash Game Strategy, Texas Holdem, Betting Strategy, Bankroll Management