Tournament games, you only have a fixed amount of money to enter, such as $1, $2, $5, $10, or $100 games, and everyone gets a fixed amont of chips. If in a private tournament, we may know who is who and how they play, so we can stay tight with our plays or get some what aggessive, at time.
In a public tournament game, we sometime know some and how to handle them, but yet we do see many of unknown ones. Some respect their tournament life and the respect for the money to enter the tournament, but most it depends at which amount of money, to enter. Yet, no matter if you are in a $100 tournament, you may still have an aggressive player. But yet we still know we only get so many chips for a certain value. Then you have these rebuy add on games and those are killers, as when you do take out an aggressive person, you risk to having him back.
As for ring games, it is all money, from your bank roll. Never ever take your whole bank roll to these tables and I suggest never go beyond half the bank roll at these tables. usually take only what it takes to get to table or a few dollars more, this way if your on a bad table you don't lose as much and gives time to think before you add too. easier to leave instead of fighting to regain, which normally doesn't happen. With a small bank roll, playing the 02-04 cent games is a pathetic game as these players are normally chasers. Even the $2-$5 games can make you scratch your head at times but some what civil game. But again never bring a big bank roll.
If you are taking a beating at any table, leave don't come back to it. Try another table, the first one was meant for you and if this one has the same encounters try another and then leave them alone for awhile if cards and players are doing the same.
Now if the table is working your way, play but don't stay forever. If the table turns on you, don't try to regain there, you got a little profit, just run. If you want to play still, go to another table, try it again. I even suggest, if the table is doing good for you, to try other tables. Remember, these players are adding money all the time and some do not care, and they will reach up and bite you.
Remember, never go beyond your percentage of your bank roll. Never get the notion, if you been beat up for the day, to think you may be able to rebuild that day, by taking you left over bank roll to a higer level to rebuild it as this is when you are on tilt.
Playing these games you need to switch your play at times, be some what tight, be a little aggressive. Heck show you bluff at times, oh and don't be afraid to show a good hand once in awhile. Show them you can play. Some of these so called players at these games look at gender when playing

I use what I call the 20% rule at ring games.  I sit down with the Table max(I usually play 10-20cent tables so the max is usually 10 Bucks) and wait until the big blind comes around to me.  I get to watch for a few hands and can get a sense of the players.  I play passitive-aggersive and see how the players react.  If I lose %20 of my stack I am gone and off to another table.
If I win %20 or more, I am gone from the game and usually the site.

                                                            The Turkey


PS, I just got 3 checks and 1 more to come