Should I start with cash games, sit n' go, or tournaments?

Question

I'm no pro, but I'd like to say I'm skilled. I've played pretty extensively online and drawn a net profit. I know what I'm doing and I've read Dan Harrington's book on no limit hold 'em. I really want to start playing live, and unfortunately the closest I've got to live tables are home games and nothing too professional. 

I'm a little afraid of cash games, since online I've never liked the idea of sitting at a table and throwing my money at people hand after hand. I've been very successful at large MTTs though (200-1200 people) and have drawn a net profit on these. I've always liked the idea of paying a fee and knowing that I'll never end the day losing more money than that, doing something I love and having a chance at winning some of it back. To me it's like paying 50 bucks to go to Disney World or something and on the way out having a staff come up to me and say "Congratulations, you've won!" and handing me 200 back. 

So my question is, with my extensive tournament experience, would it still be okay for me to jump into my first live MTT before I try Sit n Gos or cash games, or should I try to start small?

I'm very experienced in NL Hold 'Em, good at Limit, and have some experience in PLO, 7 Card Stud and Razz.

pdq · Accepted Answer

One thing you should know is that beating these games on-line is HARDER than beating these games live!  If you've been successful on-line, you shouldn't have any trouble with live games.

There is only one fear I would have for someone who has never played live.  It is SO much slower that I'm afraid someone like you might lose patience.  You've got to play your game the same way you've been playing it.  Of course this includes adjusting to your opponents, too.

Just have realistic expectations.  Nobody cashes in MTT's without at least SOME luck.  You know that.  If you stick with your game, it will be just like on-line.  You'll "draw a net profit", but it might be slower than on-line.  Because it's easier live, I believe you'll make more money PER TOURNAMENT average; however, instead of being able to play 5 to 10 tournaments in a day, you'll only be able to play 1.

? · Answer

Find out what tournaments your local card room or casino run, I'd say start with a fairly cheap freeze out. They are unlikely to run STTs, entrats are more likely to be 40-80 people. That's a good way to get live experience and it sounds like you know the structure.

live cash, 1-2, is a different animal and plays different to online cash games so steer clear if that's not your game.

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Should I start with cash games, sit n' go, or tournaments?

2 Answers