Bankroll
May 17 2008
A big mistake many beginner poker players make is playing over their head. This includes both playing over their skill level and playing over their bankroll level. Getting caught doing either is a recipe for disaster and will gut your bankroll real quick.
When you’re first starting out in online poker you should always start at a low limit no matter how much cash you have or how experienced a poker player you are. Most players don’t realize how much easier it is to move up a level than it is to drop down a level. And by easier we really mean cheaper. When you want to move up a level it’s because you’re playing good and making some cash. However, if you want to drop down a level, things can’t be going too well and your bankroll must be in the red.
Before choosing a level you must honestly answer two questions. First, how big is your bankroll? And second, how good a poker player are you? Don’t sit down at a cash game in which you must put your entire bankroll on the table to play. Start out at a table where you can play with 10-20 percent of your bankroll. This will protect you against an unlucky streak.
To answer the second question, ask your poker buddies because they’ll be more likely to give you a true answer. Almost all poker players think they’re better than they really are, so get a dose of reality from your buddies. Even if they say you’re the best they’ve ever seen, start out at a relatively low limit and work yourself up. If you find it too easy, start moving up. If you find yourself getting bored always move up to a more challenging level, but don’t get over-excited and move up too far. Playing bored can make you bet too much, while playing scared can make you play too timid. Both will hurt your bankroll.
Find a limit where you can play your game and be motivated to win and you should avoid the pitfalls of playing the wrong limit.
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