What is a good bankroll to start with if you want to begin playing seriously
Two of the questions most frequently asked by novice poker players is "What is a bankroll?" and "What is a good bankroll to start with if you want to begin playing seriously?"
Let's begin with the first question: a bankroll is the money you invest to play poker with whether online or in a brick and mortar casino. Let's say, you deposit $100 into an online poker room, that is your bankroll. It should be your goal to maintain your bankroll and to build it and not go broke. Far too many wind up financially ruined for one simple reason; not paying attention to the principles of Bankroll.
To answer the second question regarding the amount to start with, the typical limit for a Texas Holdem bankroll should be 300 times or more the Big Blind in a cash game and 10 times or more the buy-in of a Sit and Go tournament. This should be plenty for 80% of the Holdem players. The reason for this is quite simple:
- You need to maintain enough money in your poker account because you will go through downswings.
- Most downswings never go past 100 times the Big Blind.
- Your money is there to support your emotional well-being - to keep you from playing scared.
To avoid losing your bankroll there are some considerations to keep in mind.
- Know what type of player you are. If you are a tight, solid player, then you will probably not need as much money as a player who is involved in many pots. Players who play many pots win more and lose more than the tight/aggressive player loses.
- Know the type of game you are playing. Texas Holdem is the cadillac of poker and played universally. However, others play Stud and Draw Poker. Those types of games require more betting rounds and a bigger bankroll.
- Know what limit you are comfortable playing. There will be bigger swings in no limit Texas Holdem than limit Holdem and thus requiring a bigger bankroll.
ALWAYS STAY WITHIN YOUR CORRECT LIMITS
If you have a $100 bankroll then it does not make sense for you to be playing in $1-$2 no limit cash game or a $20 Sit N Go. It will not be long until you're reloading your account.
"It's not what you earn but what you keep."
There is something we need to remember at the end of the day; it's not how much money you have won, but rather how much you have in your bankroll. If you've busted your bankroll, you're broke and needing to start over again.
Here's the Point:
Size matters. Have enough in your bankroll to help you through those down swings to prevent you from playing "scared".