Moving up in stakes is the main way poker players increase their income. Doing it too early — or refusing to move back down — is the main way they go broke. A simple set of rules, decided before you play, solves both problems.
Step 1: pick your buy-in rule
- Cash games: 20–30 buy-ins for the stake you play is standard. More cautious players use 40 or more.
- Tournaments: 100 buy-ins or more, because variance is far higher.
Example: with a 25 buy-in rule, playing $1/$3 with $300 buy-ins needs a $7,500 bankroll. To move up to $2/$5 with $500 buy-ins, you need $12,500.
Step 2: set a move-down trigger
Decide in advance when you will step down, such as falling below 15 buy-ins for your current stake. Then follow it without arguing with yourself. Moving down is not a failure; it protects the bankroll that lets you move up again.
Step 3: take shots carefully
A shot is a planned attempt at a higher stake before you are fully rolled. A sensible rule is to risk only 2–3 buy-ins of the higher stake, and move back down if you lose them.
Signs you are ready
- You have a winning record over a meaningful sample at your current stake.
- You have the bankroll by your own rule.
- The higher game is one you have watched and understand.
Track it
Your bankroll in buy-ins is the number that decides everything. The free PokerTracking tracker shows it at a glance, and the Goals & plan tab tells you how far you are from the next stake. Check any stake on the $2/$5 bankroll page or the bankroll calculator, and see the risk with the risk of ruin calculator.