Poker Bankroll Management — The Complete Guide
Every poker player who has ever gone broke had one thing in common: they ignored bankroll management. It is the least glamorous topic in poker strategy and the most important. No amount of GTO knowledge will save you if you play stakes you cannot afford.
What Is a Bankroll?
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Cash Game Requirements
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Tournament Bankroll Rules
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Moving Up and Down in Stakes
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many buy-ins do you need for cash games?
Most professionals recommend a minimum of 20–30 buy-ins for cash games. At higher stakes or with higher variance, 50 buy-ins provides more protection against downswings.
How many buy-ins do you need for tournaments?
Tournament players need more buy-ins due to higher variance. A standard recommendation is 100 buy-ins at your regular stake, with some professionals keeping 200+ for high-variance formats.
What is risk of ruin in poker?
Risk of ruin is the mathematical probability of losing your entire bankroll given your win rate, variance, and starting bankroll. Proper bankroll management keeps this figure below 5%.
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