How Bankroll Management Works

Your bankroll is the total amount of money set aside exclusively for poker. Bankroll management means only playing stakes where your bankroll can absorb the natural variance without going broke.

The number of buy-ins you need depends on three things: the game format (cash games need fewer than tournaments), your win rate (higher win rates tolerate smaller bankrolls), and your risk tolerance (how much ruin probability you can stomach).

The Most Important Rule

Never play stakes where a normal downswing would wipe out your bankroll. If you lose 10 buy-ins and that puts you in financial stress, you are playing too high.

Recommended Buy-ins by Format

Format	Conservative	Standard	Aggressive
NL Hold’em Cash	40 buy-ins	25 buy-ins	15 buy-ins
PLO Cash	50 buy-ins	35 buy-ins	20 buy-ins
MTTs	150 buy-ins	100 buy-ins	60 buy-ins
Sit & Gos	80 buy-ins	50 buy-ins	30 buy-ins
Spin & Gos	200 buy-ins	120 buy-ins	75 buy-ins

✅ Move up when your bankroll reaches 150% of the recommended amount for the next level

✅ Move down immediately when your bankroll drops below 60% of the recommended amount

❌ Never take shots at higher stakes with your entire bankroll — set aside a shot-taking fund

❌ Never play with money you cannot afford to lose — poker bankroll should be separate from living expenses