Poker is a game of edges realised over the long run — and the long run is brutal in the short term. Bankroll management (BRM) is the discipline that lets you ride out variance without going broke. Ignore it and even a winning player can bust.
What is a bankroll?
Your bankroll is money set aside exclusively for poker, entirely separate from rent, bills and savings. Never play with money you can't afford to lose. If losing your session stake would hurt your life, you're playing too high.
Buy-in guidelines
| Format | Conservative | Aggressive |
|---|---|---|
| Cash games | 30+ buy-ins | 20 buy-ins |
| Sit & Gos | 50+ buy-ins | 30 buy-ins |
| MTTs (high variance) | 100+ buy-ins | 50 buy-ins |
Tournaments swing hardest because you go long stretches without cashing, so they demand the deepest roll relative to buy-in.
Moving up — and down
Move up a stake only when you've comfortably beaten your current level over a meaningful sample and have the buy-ins for the next one. Just as important: be willing to move down when your roll dips. There's no shame in it — it's how professionals survive downswings.
Variance is normal
Even strong winners endure losing stretches of thousands of hands. Proper BRM turns those swings into a survivable annoyance rather than a bankroll-ending disaster.
Protect your mindset
Tilt — playing worse because you're frustrated — destroys more bankrolls than bad cards. Set stop-loss limits, take breaks after big losses, and treat each decision on its own merits regardless of recent results. Good BRM and a calm head are what let your edge actually show up.
Play responsibly
Bankroll management is also responsible-gambling practice. Set deposit limits and know when to stop — see our responsible gambling resources.
Put it into practice
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