Bankroll

A 'Bankroll' in poker refers to the total amount of money a player has set aside to play poker. It's an essential part of poker strategy, as it determines the stakes a player can afford to play and helps manage the inherent variance in poker.

What is a Bankroll in Poker?

In poker, a 'bankroll' is the total sum of money a player dedicates to playing poker. It's a separate fund from personal finances and is used solely for poker-related expenses. The size of a player's bankroll can influence their betting decisions, the stakes they play, and how they manage their money.

The Importance of Bankroll Management

Proper bankroll management is a crucial aspect of successful poker play. It's a risk management strategy designed to ensure that a player can withstand the natural swings and variance associated with poker without going broke.

Bankroll management involves playing within your limits and not risking more than a small percentage of your bankroll on any single game or tournament. This approach helps players stay in the game longer and ride out losing streaks.

Determining Your Bankroll

How much money you should have in your poker bankroll depends on several factors, including the type of poker you're playing (cash games vs. tournaments), your skill level, and your tolerance for risk. As a general rule, you should have enough in your bankroll to cover a reasonable number of buy-ins.

For example, if you're a cash game player, a common recommendation is to have a bankroll of at least 20-30 times the buy-in of the stakes you're playing. If you're a tournament player, you might want to have a bankroll of at least 100 times the buy-in of the tournaments you play.

Example of "Bankroll"

Let's say you're a regular player at $1/$2 No-Limit Hold'em cash games, where the typical buy-in is $200. Following the recommendation of having a bankroll of at least 20 times the buy-in, you should ideally have a bankroll of $4,000.

• "With a bankroll of $5,000, he comfortably played at the $1/$2 cash game table."
• "After a few losing sessions, she decided to move down in stakes to protect her bankroll."
• "Despite having a strong hand, he considered his bankroll before deciding to join the high-stakes game."

Bankroll in Poker FAQs