Bankroll Managment
Poker is a game of skill with a chance element brought about by the randomness of the cards. This means that even the best players will experience swings of fortune brought about by bad beats or a cold run of hands. Good bankroll management is as important to your long term profits in poker as the cards that you play.
There are two key areas of bankroll management. The first is that you use this to combat the natural variance of the game. Secondly you can use your bankroll to judge when it is correct to move up (or even down) in levels.
No-Limit Texas Holdem players are particularly vulnerable to bad beats. It is possible to get your chips into the pot as a huge favorite – only to see your stack disappear with a bad river card. To maintain profits in the long-term you should ensure that only a small proportion of your bankroll is on any one table. This will mean that any reversals only take a small fraction of your overall ‘roll, keeping you profitable over time.
The exact number of buy-ins will depend on several factors. The rule of thumb is to maintain at least 20 buy-ins for the game you usually play – so only 5% of your total roll is on any one table. If you intend to become an online poker professional this number should be increased as your poker bankroll is your main source of income. If you play poker for leisure and profits then you may find it easier to re-load, meaning slightly less strict bankroll criteria can be employed.
Your style of play at the tables also has an effect on your bankroll management requirements. If you are a tight and solid player who does not take too many risks then the 20 buy-in rule should be fine. If you are a loose and aggressive player who enjoys making big ‘moves' during the play of hands then it is suggested that you use 30 buy-ins instead. This will counter the bigger swings that go with the loose and aggressive style of play.
Maintaining a 20 buy-in rule will give you an easy indication of when to move up to the next level. For example if you are playing tables with a $25 buy-in and maintain a bankroll of $500 for this then reaching the $1000 mark will allow you to move up to the $50 buy-in games.
Moving back down should you experience a bad run is also part of a disciplined poker bankroll management approach. Again the 20 buy-in rule will help – though you may wish to move down sooner if you feel that returning to profit in your familiar games will boost your confidence. Bankroll managment has a huge impact on your game and if you are still learning and got your initial deposit through our section, then you need to be extra carefull aswell. |
