Poker Bankroll Management: The Complete Guide
Bankroll management is the most important off-table skill in poker. Even world-class players go broke if they play above their bankroll. Proper bankroll management ensures you can survive the inevitable downswings while giving yourself the opportunity to profit in the long run.
What Is a Bankroll?
Your poker bankroll is the total amount of money set aside exclusively for poker. It is separate from your living expenses, savings, and other investments. Treating poker money as its own entity is the first step toward disciplined bankroll management.
Recommended Bankroll Sizes
| Format | Minimum Buy-ins | Recommended | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash Games (NL) | 20 buy-ins | 30-50 buy-ins | Lower variance than tournaments |
| Sit and Go (9-max) | 30 buy-ins | 50-80 buy-ins | Moderate variance, consistent edge |
| MTTs (small field) | 50 buy-ins | 100-150 buy-ins | Higher variance, bigger swings |
| MTTs (large field) | 100 buy-ins | 200-300 buy-ins | Highest variance, massive upside |
Moving Up and Down
Set clear rules for when to move up in stakes and when to move down:
- Move up when you have the recommended number of buy-ins for the next level AND a proven win rate at your current level
- Move down immediately when your bankroll drops below the minimum for your current level — no exceptions, no ego
- Take shots sparingly — occasionally playing one level up is fine if you can absorb the loss, but never with more than 5% of your bankroll
Understanding Variance
Even strong players experience losing stretches. A winning player with a 5 bb/100 win rate in cash games can easily have a 30,000-hand break-even stretch. In tournaments, a winning player can go 100+ events without a significant cash. Bankroll management exists to survive these inevitable cold streaks.