Bankroll Management: How to Never Go Broke
Skill doesn't matter if you have no chips left. The ultimate guide to managing risk in poker.
You can be the 10th best player in the world, but if you play stakes that are too high for your wallet, you will eventually go broke. Variance does not care about your feelings.
What is Variance?
In poker, you can play perfectly and lose for weeks. This is called a downswing. Your Bankroll is a buffer that absorbs these swings so you can stay in the game long enough for your skill to win out.
Standard Guidelines
| Format | Minimum Buy-ins | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|
| Cash Games (NLH) | 20-25 | 40-50+ |
| Tournaments (MTTs) | 100 | 200-300+ |
| Hypers / Spins | 200 | 500+ |
Moving Up and Down
Smart players treat their bankroll like a business. If you win and grow your roll to 50 buy-ins of the next level, take a shot! But—and this is critical—if you lose a few buy-ins, move back down immediately.
There is no shame in moving down stakes. It is a strategic realization of equity. Use our Bankroll Calculator to see where you stand.