How Casino Poker Cash Games Work

Cash Games vs. Tournaments

Casino poker is available in two formats: cash games and tournaments. In a cash game, the chips on the table represent real money that can be converted back to cash at any time. You buy in for a certain amount, play as long as you choose, and cash out your remaining chips when you leave. In a tournament, you pay a fixed entry fee, receive a set number of chips, and play until you run out or finish in a prize position.

This guide covers cash games — the format most commonly available in casino card rooms on an ongoing basis.

Finding a Table and Sitting Down

Casino card rooms display available games on a board or screen at the entrance. Games are listed by variant (e.g., No-Limit Texas Hold'em), stake level (e.g., £1/£2 blinds), and sometimes waiting list status. Speak to the floor staff to be added to a waiting list if your preferred game is full. When a seat opens, you will be called to the table.

Buying In

Each cash game table has a minimum and maximum buy-in, typically expressed in big blind multiples (e.g., 20 to 100 big blinds). At a £1/£2 game, the minimum buy-in might be £40 (20 big blinds) and the maximum £200 (100 big blinds).

To buy in, present your cash to the dealer or to a chip runner, who will exchange it for chips. At many card rooms you purchase chips directly from the dealer between hands. Your chips are placed in front of you on the table.

If your chip stack falls below the minimum buy-in during play, you may "rebuy" — purchase additional chips up to the maximum. You cannot add chips mid-hand.

The Blind Structure

Cash games use a small blind and big blind — mandatory forced bets placed by the two players to the left of the dealer button before each hand. The big blind sets the minimum bet for that round. Players not in the blinds can call, raise, or fold when the action reaches them.

The blinds rotate clockwise after each hand. Playing from different positions relative to the button is a core element of poker strategy.

Table Stakes Rules

Cash games are played table stakes — you can only bet or call with the chips you have on the table at the start of each hand. You cannot reach into your pocket for extra money during a hand. If you run out of chips while a hand is in progress, you are "all-in" for the amount you had — a side pot is created for the remaining players to compete over.

The Rake

The casino takes a small percentage from each pot as its fee for providing the game. This is the rake. A common structure is 5% of the pot up to a maximum cap (e.g., £5 per hand). In some rooms, a fixed time charge per hour per player replaces or supplements the pot rake.

The rake is taken from the pot by the dealer after each hand concludes. It is the mechanism by which the casino profits from poker without directly competing against players — unlike house-banked games where the casino is the opponent.

Cash Game Etiquette

• Act in turn — wait for the action to reach you before declaring your decision.
• Protect your cards — keep a chip or card protector on your hand so the dealer does not accidentally muck them.
• Keep your chip stacks visible — all players are entitled to see how many chips each player has.
• Do not discuss your hand while others are still playing.
• Avoid slow play without good reason — playing excessively slowly in uncontested pots is poor etiquette.
• Handle cash and chips neatly; avoid splashing the pot when betting.
• Tip the dealer at your discretion after winning a pot.

Cashing Out

When you decide to leave, take your chips to the cashier's cage to convert them back to cash. In most card rooms you do not cash out at the table — the dealer's chips remain the casino's property. Simply pick up your chips, rack them, and proceed to the cage.

Bankroll Considerations for Cash Games

A common guideline is to have at least 20 to 30 buy-ins for your chosen stake level as a cash game bankroll — enough to absorb the natural variance of many losing sessions without going broke. This applies if you are playing regularly. For recreational players, the relevant figure is simply the session budget you can afford to lose.

Never play at a stake level where losing your buy-in would cause you real financial hardship. Move down to lower stakes if your session budget does not comfortably cover the buy-in at the table you are considering.

Responsible Play

Cash games can run for many hours. Fatigue impairs decision-making — set a time limit for your session as well as a loss limit. If you find yourself playing primarily to recover earlier losses, that is a sign to leave. Poker involves skill, but individual sessions are subject to significant variance regardless of your ability level.