What are side games in poker??

Question

ive been watchin poker on tv and started playing a bit and ppl keep talking bout 'side games.' What are they?? whats the difference between them and tournaments?? IM confused!!

Answer 1

After poker players get knocked out of a tournament, they typically go and play high stakes cash games where the chips have actual monetary value (unlike a tournament).  It is not uncommon for some of the more expensive cash games to have blinds of $300/$600 and an ante of $100.  In such games of no limit Hold'em it is possible for several hundred thousand dollars to change hands in a single night.

Watch High Stakes Poker on GSN and you'll get the idea.  Some of these big side games can actually be more lucrative than the tournaments.  Often rich amateur players will want to join in to have a shot at the pros, and often the pros will take their money.