Financial Freedom: Choosing games based on bankroll
I’m here to talk finances today.
Do you find that you’re depositing money into your online account just about every day?
Do you buy-in for a certain amount, sit down at a cash game and before you know it, you’re broke again?
Why do you think this is happening?
Perhaps you’re not playing at appropriate table limits for your bankroll. The table you choose to play on should be proportional to what you have in your account. I’m not suggesting that you go ahead and deposit huge sums of money. This just isn’t necessary.
Once upon a time, I used to have the same problem. As always I called up my friend, the poker pro, to find out his thoughts on bankroll requirements. He told me that I should be depositing a fair amount and working my way up the ranks to make the most of my deposit.
If you’re thinking about percentage growth, you should be happier turning $20.00 into $1,000.00 than $500.00 into $1,000.00. Sure you still have $1,000.00 at the end, but by depositing less and building it up, you actually win more.
To help you along with what he meant, he sent me a quick, easy-to-use chart which I am sharing with you.
Cash |
Sit-N-Go's |
No Limit |
Limit |
| $1-$100 | $10-$20 buy-in | Cash games not recommended | Cash games not recommended |
| $100-$200 | $20-$30 buy-in | .25-.50 , .50-$1 | .25-.50 , .50-$1 |
| $200-$400 | $30 buy-in | .50-$1 , $1-$2 | $1-2 , $2-$4 |
| $400-$800 | $50 buy-in | $1-$2, $2 - $4 | $3-$6, $4-$8 |
| $800-$1000 | $100 buy-in | $2-$4, $3-$6 | $5-$10 |
| $1000-$2000 | $200 buy-in | $5-$10 | $10-$20 |
| $2000-$4000 | $200 buy-in | $10-$20 | $20-$40 |
| $4000-$8000 | $200 buy-in | $20-$40 | $40-$80 |
| $8000-$16000 | $500 - $1000 buy-in | $80-$160 |
As you can see, I recommend that you not bother sitting down at cash games until you’ve worked your way up the ladder somewhat.
What’s the point of sitting down at a cash game if you don’t have enough funds to give yourself some leeway?
As a general principle, I don’t recommend sitting down at a cash game unless you have over 100-times the big blind. For example, if you have $100.00, you can sit at a $0.50-$1.00 cash game. This gives you enough room to make some moves and try things to steal pots here and there to build up your funds.
If you have more money that’s even better as you can afford another buy-in without having to reload your account.
I highly recommend buying in for small amounts and then going to cheap sit and go tournaments. After winning some of those, you will be well on your way towards success.
Until next time, may the chips fall your way.
-Carrie
