What Is Bankroll Management?
Bankroll management (BRM) is the practice of managing the money you dedicate to poker in a way that gives you the best chance of surviving the natural variance in the game. Even the best poker players in the world experience long losing streaks — good bankroll management ensures that a bad run doesn't end your ability to play.
For new players, this is arguably the single most important concept to internalize before sitting at any table.
Your Poker Bankroll vs. Your Personal Finances
Rule number one: your poker bankroll must be entirely separate from your living expenses. Your bankroll should consist only of money you can afford to lose completely without any impact on your daily life — rent, food, bills, and savings are never part of your poker funds.
Choosing the Right Stakes for Your Bankroll
A common guideline for cash games is to have at least 20–30 buy-ins for the stakes you're playing. A buy-in is typically 100 big blinds (BB).
| Stake Level | Buy-In Size | Recommended Bankroll (20 buy-ins) |
|---|---|---|
| NL2 (2c/4c) | ~$4 | ~$80 |
| NL5 (2c/5c) | ~$5 | ~$100 |
| NL10 (5c/10c) | ~$10 | ~$200 |
| NL25 (10c/25c) | ~$25 | ~$500 |
| NL50 (25c/50c) | ~$50 | ~$1,000 |
For tournaments, the variance is much higher. Most professionals recommend having 50–100 buy-ins for your regular tournament stakes.
Moving Up and Moving Down in Stakes
Your bankroll will fluctuate — that's normal. Set clear rules for when you move stakes:
- Move up: When your bankroll reaches 30+ buy-ins for the next level. Don't move up just because you're on a hot streak.
- Move down: When your bankroll drops below 15–20 buy-ins for your current level. This is not a failure — it's smart, disciplined play.
Ego is your enemy here. Many new players refuse to drop down after losses and go broke trying to recover at stakes they can no longer afford.
Understanding Variance
Poker involves significant short-term variance — stretches of time where you lose despite making all the right decisions. A solid bankroll cushion means you survive these downswings and continue playing your best game without financial stress affecting your decisions.
The deeper your bankroll relative to your stakes, the smaller the psychological impact of individual sessions, and the better your long-term decision-making will be.
Additional Bankroll Tips for Beginners
- Track every session: Record your buy-ins, cash-outs, and net results. Data helps you identify leaks and make informed decisions about stake levels.
- Don't shot-take recklessly: A "shot" is playing at a higher stake than usual. Only do this with a small portion of your roll and have a clear stop-loss.
- Separate study from play: Invest time watching training videos, reviewing hand histories, and reading strategy content. A growing skill set amplifies good bankroll management.
- Accept that you will lose sometimes: Mental resilience is part of the game. Focus on making good decisions, not on short-term results.
Summary
Bankroll management won't make your hands stronger, but it will keep you in the game long enough to develop your skills, ride out variance, and grow as a player. Start at stakes where your bankroll gives you comfort, track your results, and always separate poker money from personal funds. These habits separate players who last from those who bust out in their first month.