What is poker bankroll management?
Bankroll management is a set of rules for choosing stakes so that normal bad luck can't wipe you out. Even the best players lose for long stretches; a properly sized bankroll lets you ride out those downswings and keep playing your best game instead of playing scared.
How many buy-ins do you need?
| Game | Recommended | Aggressive minimum |
|---|---|---|
| No-limit cash games | 30–40 buy-ins | 20 buy-ins |
| Pot-limit Omaha cash games | 50–60 buy-ins | 30 buy-ins |
| Sit & Gos | 60–100 buy-ins | 40 buy-ins |
| Multi-table tournaments | 100–200+ buy-ins | 50 buy-ins |
Calculate your exact numbers with the poker bankroll calculator.
Move-up and move-down rules
- Decide your rules before you play, when you're calm — not after a big win or loss.
- Move up when you have your full buy-in requirement for the next stake, plus a small cushion.
- Take a shot with a fixed number of buy-ins (e.g. 3) if you want to try higher stakes early; move back down if you lose them.
- Move down as soon as you fall below your minimum. This is the rule players break most often, and it's the one that matters most.
Bankroll management for recreational players
If you play for fun with money from your job, you can use a smaller poker bankroll because you can top it up. The key rule is simple: only play with money you can afford to lose, and keep poker money separate from money for bills and savings.
Using risk of ruin
Buy-in rules are shortcuts. If you know your win rate and standard deviation, a risk of ruin calculator tells you your actual chance of going broke. Most professionals aim for under 1%.
How Poker Tracking helps
- Set your own buy-in rules for each game type.
- See whether you're rolled for each stake at a glance.
- Get notified when you hit a move-up or move-down point.
- Track progress toward bankroll goals.
- Pro: risk of ruin from your real results, per stake.
Bankroll management FAQ
What's the most common bankroll mistake?
Refusing to move down after losses. It turns a normal downswing into a busted bankroll.
Should I withdraw money from my bankroll?
Yes, if you plan for it. Many players withdraw only when above a set size, so their stakes stay safe.
Do tournament players need more buy-ins than cash players?
Yes, many more — tournament variance is much higher. See the variance calculator.