Bankroll in Poker | Meaning & Management Tips

Your bankroll is the total amount of money you’ve set aside specifically for playing in poker. It’s not your rent money, or grocery budget, or savings, it’s your poker fund. Treat your bankroll as a dedicated resource specifically for poker; that way you give yourself the best chance to keep playing long term without going broke.

What Does Bankroll Mean in Poker?

When you sit down to play, your bankroll is the pool of funds you draw from to buy into games.

• Dedicated money: It stays separate from your everyday expenses.
• Your safety net: It protects you from losing more than you can afford to lose.
• Dynamic total: Your bankroll goes up and down as you win and lose sessions.
   

Understanding this definition is key to enabling you to think of poker as a long-term game, not just a single session. Your bankroll management is just as important as your card strategy.

Why Your Bankroll Matters

If you don’t respect your bankroll, you put yourself at serious risk of losing everything. By managing it correctly, you give yourself staying power in poker.

• Avoid going broke: Don’t sit in games you can’t afford.
• Play stress-free: You can make better decisions when you’re not scared of losing your rent money.
• Build confidence: A stable bankroll lets you handle big swings without panicking.
   

Your bankroll is more than just cash; it’s your passport to keep playing. That’s why knowing how to manage it is a skill every serious player must learn.

Example of Bankroll in Action

Let’s say you’ve set aside $1,000 for poker.

• You use $100 buy-ins for a $1/$2 cash game.
• This means you have 10 full buy-ins in your bankroll.
• If you go on a downswing and lose a few buy-ins, you still have enough left to keep playing.
   

This example shows how your bankroll acts as your buffer against variance. Instead of worrying about a single bad session, you can focus on making the right decisions hand after hand. To protect yourself further, you’ll want to learn the basics of bankroll management.

Basics of Bankroll Management

Bankroll management is how you decide what stakes to play based on the size of your bankroll.

• Cash games: Keep at least 20–30 buy-ins for your chosen stakes.
• Tournaments: Aim for 50–100 buy-ins, because the variance is higher.
• Move down when needed: If your bankroll drops, you should lower your stakes to protect yourself.
   

By following these guidelines, you give yourself the best shot at long-term success. Bankroll management is vital since it is your wallet to play with. If you manage it correctly, you will be able to play poker for a lot longer.

FAQs

Why is bankroll management important?
Because it protects you from going broke and helps you survive natural poker swings.

Does my bankroll include online poker balances?
Yes. Any money you’ve deposited online for poker is also a part of your bankroll, since it’s funds you’ve set aside specifically for playing.

Can you play poker without a bankroll?
You can, but it’s risky. Without a bankroll, you’re more likely to be playing with money you can’t afford to lose.