Simple definition
Your bankroll is the separate pool of money you use only for poker. It is not rent, food, or bill money.
Keep it in its own wallet, envelope, or account. Add to it slowly; never use borrowed money.
Bankroll Management (Easy Guide)
Your bankroll is the money you set aside just for poker. Managing it well keeps you in the game when luck goes bad and helps you move up when you are ready. This page gives a simple plan for cash games and tournaments.
What is a bankroll?
Goals
- Protect yourself from short-term bad luck.
- Play without fear → better decisions.
- Grow step by step and move up safely.
Why bankroll management matters
Variance is real
Even great players lose sometimes. Good bankroll rules keep you from going broke during a downswing.
Clear limits
Limits stop you from chasing losses or jumping stakes too fast. You can handle pressure and play your A-game.
Long-term growth
Small, steady wins add up. With a plan, you move up when ready and move down when needed.
How much bankroll do I need?
Use buy-ins to measure your bankroll. One buy-in in cash games is usually 100 big blinds. For tournaments, one buy-in is the entry fee.
Cash games — recommended bankroll (by risk level)
Risk level
Buy-ins needed
Who is this for?
Conservative
40–60 buy-ins
If you want maximum safety / learning period
Standard
25–40 buy-ins
Solid choice for most live players
Aggressive
15–25 buy-ins
Only with big skill edge + happy to move down fast
Example: Blinds 1/2 → 100bb = 200. 30 buy-ins = 6,000 (same units as your chips/currency).
Tournaments (MTTs) — recommended bankroll
Risk level
Buy-ins needed
Notes
Conservative
200–400 buy-ins
MTTs have high variance; safety first
Standard
150–250 buy-ins
Good for live fields / steady schedule
Aggressive
100–150 buy-ins
Only if you can drop down quickly after losses
Sit & Go (single-table / small fields) — recommended bankroll
Risk level
Buy-ins needed
Notes
Conservative
100–150 buy-ins
Lower variance than big MTTs
Standard
75–100 buy-ins
Most common plan
Aggressive
50–75 buy-ins
Only if ready to move down quickly
Simple rule: Risk <5% of your bankroll per cash buy-in, and <1% per tournament buy-in.
Smaller % = safer.
Quick examples (how to size your roll)
Cash game example
Game: 1/2 (100bb = 200). You pick 30 buy-ins (standard).
Bankroll needed = 30 × 200 = 6,000.
MTT example
Average buy-in: 50. You pick 200 buy-ins (safe).
Bankroll needed = 200 × 50 = 10,000.
Mixing games
Split your roll by format. Example: 70% cash, 30% tournaments. Track each pool separately.
Want a calculator? See Tools & Calculators.
Stop-loss & stop-win (session rules)
Stop-loss
- Pick a limit before you sit down (e.g., 2–3 buy-ins for cash, 2–4 bullets in re-entry MTTs).
- If you hit it, stop for the day or take a long break.
- Protects your mind and your bankroll.
Stop-win
- Optional “lock-up” rule (e.g., +2 buy-ins for cash).
- Leave on time if you feel tired or unfocused.
- Wins are real only when you keep them.
Shot taking (moving up safely)
When to try
- Bankroll is above your normal target (e.g., +25%).
- You feel fresh, focused, and the table looks soft.
- Clear stop-loss (1–2 buy-ins for the higher stake).
When to move back
- Lose the set number of shots.
- Game is tough / you feel pressure.
- Bankroll drops below comfort level.
Rule: Shots are tests, not a new habit. Take one, review, then return to your main game.
Track your results (simple habit)
What to record
- Date, venue/site, game (Hold’em/Omaha), stake/buy-in.
- Hours played (cash) or entrants/finish (MTT).
- Profit/loss, notes (tilt? tough table? key hands?).
Why it helps
- See which games you beat.
- Spot leaks and tilt.
- Decide when to move up or down.
Grab a free template on Tools & Calculators.
Common bankroll mistakes
- Using rent/food money as a bankroll.
- Jumping stakes after one big win.
- No stop-loss; chasing losses on tilt.
- Playing formats with much higher variance than you planned (e.g., big MTTs) without extra buy-ins.
- Not tracking results; guessing your win-rate.
- Ignoring position and game selection (hard tables drain your roll).
Read next
Information only. This is not financial advice. We do not run games or accept bets. In Uganda, casinos and most betting are 25+.
FAQ — Bankroll Management
How many buy-ins do I need for cash games?
Most live players use 25–40 buy-ins (100bb each). Safer: 40–60. If you are new, pick the safer number.
How many buy-ins for tournaments?
200+ is a good target because variance is high. If fields are small, you can go lower; for big fields, go higher.
What is a good stop-loss?
For cash, many use 2–3 buy-ins. For re-entry MTTs, set a limit on bullets before you start.
When should I move up?
When your bankroll is well above the target for the higher game and you feel confident. Take a small “shot”; if it fails, move down fast.