The transition from (online) poker in go mode to cash game can represent the natural evolution for a technically growing player who wants to deal with new specialties, or it is simply driven by the desire to expand one’s range of action, but it can also become one of the most frustrating experiences if you fail to interpret the game correctly.

• The most deleterious consequences of this are first of all the high risk of going broke quickly and immediately after, perhaps after reloading and losing the deposit again, getting bored and leaving the game , but not before cursing the server and pokeroom.
• Here, however, our purpose is not to do an analysis of the online market or to evaluate what went wrong and could have changed. We simply want to give some advice to those who approach the cash game, highlighting the main problems that normally arise when starting.

Let us specify immediately that we will refer to the Texas Hold’em No Limit cash game.

Bankroll

Bankroll is the most important aspect. Without an adequate bankroll it is impossible to break down variance, an essential element in poker. Nobody, absolutely nobody, can avoid more or less long periods of unfortunate situations at the table, which is why having an adequate availability of funds is essential to be able to cross them and assert one’s qualities when the cards turn back in the right direction. Let us never forget that poker is a game that must be thought of in the medium to long term. For $10 no deposit bonus this is important.

How much do you need? If our approach to poker (and cash game in this specific context) wants to be professional or semi-professional (i.e. essentially the goal is to make a profit, more or less high), it takes 40-50 buy-in, considering a buy-in equal to 100bb of the level we are dedicated to. 

We can reduce the bankroll a little if our choice is more oriented towards entertainment, but not by much, otherwise the pleasure of playing will soon be less.

Ego

Defeating one’s ego is an important step. A week of winning at a certain limit means nothing. Not even a month is enough to feel able to move to a higher limit. Let’s remember to always evaluate this game in the medium to long term. 4-6 months of activity at the table with a nice “+” sign at the end and the confidence to have an edge on the players are the necessary requirements to make the leap.

We also try to be aware of what our edge consists of and at the same time our leaks. It would be a big mistake to go up against better players than us, just to prove yourself. To improve there are books, observation, cold evaluation on their plays. Otherwise it risks becoming very expensive and frustrating!