Describe the difference between a "cash game" and a "tournament" in poker.

In poker, there are two main formats for playing the game: cash games and tournaments. While they share many similarities, there are some key differences between the two.

A cash game is a form of poker where players play with real money, and the chips they use represent the actual amount of money they have on the table. Players can come and go from the game at any time, and they are free to buy-in for whatever amount they choose, as long as it is within the table's minimum and maximum buy-in limits. The chips in a cash game have a fixed value, and players can leave the game at any time and cash in their chips for real money.

On the other hand, a poker tournament is a competition where players pay a fixed buy-in to enter the tournament and receive a certain number of chips. As players lose their chips, they are eliminated from the tournament until only one player remains. The prize pool is usually distributed among the top finishers, with the winner taking the lion's share of the prize money.

One of the main differences between cash games and tournaments is the way the blinds and antes increase. In a cash game, the blinds and antes remain the same throughout the game. In a tournament, however, the blinds and antes increase at regular intervals, which is known as the "blind structure." This means that players must continually accumulate chips in order to stay in the game, and that the pressure to make moves and accumulate chips increases as the tournament progresses.

Another difference between the two formats is the strategy involved. In a cash game, players are often more conservative with their chips, as they can always buy more if they lose their chips. In a tournament, however, players are often more aggressive, as they must accumulate chips to stay in the game and survive the increasing blinds and antes.

Overall, whether you prefer cash games or tournaments depends on your personal preferences and playing style. Cash games offer the flexibility to come and go as you please, while tournaments offer the chance to win big prizes with a fixed buy-in.