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Poker Cash Games and Table Formats: Heads Up, 6-Max and 9-Max

Updated 30 October 2026 · 6 min read

In a cash game you can join and leave at any time, chips keep a fixed value and blinds never go up. The size of the table changes how aggressively you should play, so here is how each format works.

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How poker cash games work

You choose a table with blinds you are comfortable with, buy in for an amount within the table's minimum and maximum (for example 200 to 1,000 for 5/10 blinds), and play for as long as you like. You can top up your stack or add chips during play. When you leave, your stack returns to your wallet.

Heads up poker (table for 2 players)

Heads up is a duel between two players. Ranges are wide because you post a blind nearly every hand. Aggression pays; you should play most hands, raise from the button and defend the big blind often. It is the fastest way to learn how to bluff and read an opponent.

6-max poker (table for 6 players)

6-max is the most popular online cash format. With fewer players, each hand is more valuable, so you can open more hands than at a full ring table. Position matters a lot, and blinds come around quickly.

9-max poker (table for 9 players)

A full ring 9-max table plays slower and tighter. Early positions must fold many hands, because more players can wake up with strong cards behind you. Premium hands are worth more, and good players gain from patience.

Poker cash game strategy

Buy in for about 100 big blinds, the standard stack depth.
Pick tables with weaker players and sit to their left.
Avoid playing too many hands out of position.
Do not play over your bankroll: see bankroll management.
Short stack strategy: with 20–40 big blinds, play strong hands, raise or shove preflop and avoid complicated postflop spots.

Cash game vs tournament

In a cash game you can rebuy and leave anytime; in a tournament you cannot, and blinds rise. Cash games suit players who like consistency and steady skill; tournaments suit players who enjoy a chance at a big prize for a small entry. See poker tournaments and Sit & Go.

Frequently asked questions

What is 6-max poker?

A table with a maximum of six players. It is a faster, more aggressive game than a nine-seat table.

How many players can sit at a poker table?

Most tables have 2 (heads up), 6 or 9 seats; a private table can often be configured by the host.