Cash Games - Online Poker »

Unlike poker tournaments, a ring game can be played for a much longer period of time and has certain limitations. In a tournament, players play with tournament chips worth nothing outside that particular tournament. Ring, or cash, games are played with “real” chips and money at stake. Players can enter and leave as they see fit, with the ability to cash out instead of losing it all.

The length and intimacy of the game allows players to assess the rest of the table. Every player has certain tells that can be read and help dictate move by other players on the table. One of the main differences between tournaments and cash games is the blind/ante structure. This structure generally remains constant in a ring game, whereas a tournament will show a steady increase throughout the game. Additionally players can keep buying back into a ring game.