Playing Above Your Limit

George | June 5, 2008

One of the most common mistakes inexperienced online poker players make is playing above their limit. Additionally, many players fail to implement any kind of bankroll management, jeopardizing their entire bankroll.

Because of this, many players end up re-depositing, while it’s much better to step down if you’re serious about improving. Speaking from experience, I recently began using basic bankroll management, and it has helped me a lot. Let me explain what happened before I started this practice.

I have played a lot of poker for a long time. Initially, I played freerolls, but I moved to playing for real money within a year. Losing becomes a much bigger factor when playing for money, but it happens. Every online poker player will experience periods when the odds are against them, known as downswings. It’s hard, frustrating, and can cost you a lot of money, especially if you’re not managing your bankroll. The hardest part is avoiding tilt when you constantly lose despite having pot odds.

The importance of bankroll management in online poker

To overcome downswings, you must practice proper bankroll management. This way, you can handle a loss or two, or even more. The best part is that you can play over the long haul, which is crucial for getting positive odds in poker. Sure, you will occasionally get sucked out, but over a longer period, the odds will shift in your favor when playing the right hands.

With bankroll management, you play at limit levels dependent on your bankroll. Once you drop below a certain amount, you must move down in limits. For instance, if you lose a 95% winning hand while playing $5/10 but still have $99,000 left, you won’t care about it, and playing poker becomes a lot less stressful.

Bankroll management guidelines

Knowing this might mean you have to step down a few levels from where you’re playing now, but the benefits of good bankroll management are simple: you won’t go broke. Trust me, your bankroll will grow, and you will move up soon enough if you consistently win. Below are a few guidelines. I’d suggest hitting the printer-friendly button (printer icon) and sticking it to your wall next to your monitor.

1. Set your limits: Determine the highest stakes you can play based on your bankroll. A common rule is to have at least 20 buy-ins for cash games or 50 buy-ins for tournaments.
2. Move down when necessary: If your bankroll drops below your set limit, move down in stakes to protect your remaining funds.
3. Avoid tilt: Recognize the signs of tilt and take breaks when necessary to avoid making emotional decisions that could harm your bankroll.
4. Keep track of your results: Regularly review your wins and losses to understand your performance and make informed decisions about your play.
5. Stay disciplined: Stick to your bankroll management plan even during winning streaks to ensure long-term success.

By following these guidelines, you can enjoy a less stressful and more successful online poker experience.

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