To win at poker over the long run, bankroll management is just as important as skill at the table.
"I was winning but somehow went broke." "I moved up and lost everything." In most cases, the problem isn't your game — it's how you manage your money.
This guide covers recommended buy-in counts for cash games and MTTs, when to move up or down in stakes, and the most common mistakes that destroy bankrolls.
What Is Bankroll Management?
Bankroll management means keeping a dedicated poker fund and sizing your games so you minimize the risk of going broke.
The key word is "dedicated." If your poker money and living expenses share the same account, a losing streak will cloud your judgment fast.
Recommended Buy-ins for Cash Games
The right bankroll depends on your play style and risk tolerance.
| Player Type | Recommended Buy-ins |
|---|---|
| Recreational | 20–30 BI |
| Serious | 30–50 BI |
| Professional | 50–100 BI |
Live vs. Online
Live poker deals fewer hands per hour, so variance is lower — 20–40 BI is generally enough.
Online poker has higher volume and higher variance, so 30–100 BI is recommended.
Examples
- 1/2 NLH (buy-in $200) → bankroll $4,000–$6,000
- 2/5 NLH (buy-in $500) → bankroll $10,000–$15,000
PLO
Pot-Limit Omaha has significantly higher variance than NLHE. Plan for 3–4x the bankroll you'd need for the equivalent NLHE stake.
Recommended Buy-ins for MTTs
MTTs have far more variance than cash games. You'll finish out of the money in 80–90% of tournaments, so a deep bankroll is essential.
| Player Type | Recommended Buy-ins |
|---|---|
| Recreational | 40–100 BI |
| Serious | 100–200 BI |
| Professional / Large Fields | 200–500 BI |
Think in ABI (Average Buy-in)
If you play a $100, a $30, and a $10 tournament, your ABI is roughly $47. Aim for a bankroll of at least 100x your ABI.
When to Move Up in Stakes
The decision to move up should be based on data, not feelings.
Three Criteria
- Sufficient bankroll — You have 20–40 buy-ins for the next stake
- Proven win rate — At least 30,000 hands of positive results at your current stake
- Mental readiness — You can handle bigger swings without tilting
Shot-taking
Poker coach Nathan Williams (BlackRain79) recommends setting aside 10 buy-ins for the higher stake and returning to your regular game if you lose them all. This "shot-taking" approach lets you test the waters without risking your entire bankroll.
When to Move Down in Stakes
Moving down is not a failure — it's smart bankroll management.
Guidelines
- Drop down when your bankroll falls below 15 buy-ins for your current stake
- End a session after losing 3 buy-ins (recommended by Jonathan Little)
- Move down whenever the fear of losing is affecting your decisions
The single worst thing you can do is move UP in stakes to chase losses. This is the number-one cause of bankroll destruction.
Five Common Bankroll Mistakes
1. Mixing Poker Money with Living Expenses
When everything sits in one account, it's impossible to know where you stand. Before long, you're dipping into rent money.
2. Moving Up After a Small Heater
Three winning sessions at 1/2 doesn't mean you're ready for 2/5. You need a meaningful sample to prove your edge.
3. Chasing Losses by Moving Up
Playing higher stakes while tilting is the fastest way to go broke. A minor downswing becomes total bankroll ruin.
4. Ignoring Variance
Even winning players experience long downswings spanning tens of thousands of hands. Don't overreact to short-term results — think in months, not sessions.
5. Cashing Out Too Early
If you withdraw every small win, your bankroll never grows. While you're building, reinvest your profits so you can eventually move up in stakes.
Summary
| Cash Games | MTTs | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum | 20 BI (live) | 100 BI |
| Standard | 30–50 BI | 100–200 BI |
| Professional | 50–100 BI | 200–500 BI |
| Move-up threshold | 20–40 BI at next stake + proven win rate | 100+ BI at next stake |
| Move-down threshold | Below 15 BI | Below recommended minimum |
Bankroll management is the foundation of a sustainable poker career. Start by knowing exactly how much you have in your bankroll right now.
Staying on Track
Knowing the theory is one thing — sticking to it is another. If you've tried tracking results in spreadsheets and given up, you're not alone.
Poker Bankroll Manager is a purpose-built app for poker players. It handles session tracking, bankroll charts, BB-rate analysis, and trip expense management. The AI coach feature can analyze your actual data and help you decide whether it's time to move up, which stakes suit you best, and more.
