One of the most common mistakes that poker players make is using the same strategy when playing ring games and tournaments. Poker is poker, right? If it works in a ring game, it should work in a multi table tournament, right? Sadly, the answer is no.

It is true that in both games you are playing poker online. But, the goals are totally different. When playing in a tournament, you need to survive and collect all the chips. But in a ring game, you are just trying to accumulate chips, and it doesn’t matter if you bust out, because you can just buy back in.

One of the main strategy differences between the two games is the use of the ICM (independent chip model) and pot odds. In a ring game, the chips have a monetary value, and they never change. But, in a tournament with a fixed buy in, the monetary value of the chips are always changing, as per the ICM. The ICM doesn’t apply in a ring game, but it is very important in a tournament.

The same thing goes for pot odds. In a ring game, you should always make plays based on pot odds. But, in a tournament, even if you are getting the right odds to call, it might be a better idea to fold, based on the remaining chip stacks and the amount of players left. Don’t be mistaken in thinking that ring game and tournament poker are the same. They are very different!