?? Building a Poker Bankroll: The Key to Longevity ??
If you want to play poker seriously—whether it's cash games, MTTs, or sit & gos—you need solid bankroll management. It's the foundation. Without it, even the best player in the world can end up broke.
?? What is a bankroll?
It's the money you set aside exclusively to play poker. It's not your rent, it's not your restaurant budget. It's your playing capital.
?? How can you build it intelligently?
Start small.
If you have €100, you don't play €20 tournaments. You play €1 tournaments, or even less. The idea is to minimize variance and maximize your volume.
Use the 100 buy-in rule for MTTs. Ex: Do you want to play €1 tournaments? You need a minimum bankroll of €100. For cash games, aim for 30 to 50 buy-ins depending on your skill level.
Separate emotion from money.
Are you on tilt? Move down a stake or take a break. Your bankroll isn't there to comfort you. It's there to last.
Manage your swings.
Even pros have downswings. It's not a question of skill, but of variance. Good management allows you to survive difficult periods.
Move up gradually.
When your bankroll grows, don't raise the stakes too quickly. Be disciplined. Move down if necessary.
?? In summary: Building a bankroll isn't sexy. But it's what allows you to stay at the table when others are falling.
?? Discipline > Ego
?? Management > Instinct
?? Longevity > Dopamine Shot
Do you want to last in the game? Then respect your bankroll. ??