To do well in poker you need to know how to manage your bankroll well and this is so no matter what type of poker games you are into. There are several things that are important in order to keep a healthy bankroll. You need to understand the differences between different types of poker so that you can play at the proper limits you also need to know your own limits to keep the gaming fun. There are plenty of good advices readily available but they will only do you good if you know your own level and style of play.
Tournaments or Cash Games
When you want to build up a bankroll you need to know the differences between tournament and cash games. Many times the tournaments can seem so attractive with their big prizes and chances to win seats in even bigger events. If a tournament is a freeroll it can be a very good idea to join it when you’re offered a seat but remember that a tournament includes many players and can consume a lot of your time. If you are at a good level you should probably focus more on the cash games in order to build your bankroll fast.
Bonuses and Promotions
Many poker rooms try to get new players by giving away free money. The opening bonus can give you a lot of money to play for without you even making an initial deposit. The catch is, of course, that you will have to make deposits in order to touch any of the money related to the free money but this can be well worth it for serious players who know how to use their bankrolls. If you intend to stay around in a poker room you should make sure to find out if there are bonus codes to use that will give you completely free play. You should also try to find a poker room that will reward your deposits both as a new player and then through re-load promotions.
Beware of the Buy-In
There are standard recommendations for how big your bankroll should be to support your buy-ins. If you are serious about your poker play you should have a bankroll that supports at least 20 times your buy-in in cash games and 40 in tournaments. You don’t need to stick to this at all time. In shorthanded games the game can vary a lot and sometimes you need to put in more. Make sure that your bankroll can handle flexibility when this is needed without crashing on you.
Make Inventory
Even if you are a very skilled player you must count on certain down periods. There is an element of luck in poker in that you can’t control what hands are initially dealt to you. Sometimes you will find yourself with impossible cards and this can happen in game after game. These kinds of situations should not ruin your bankroll so you need to make a long term plan for how you bet. Take a break and make inventory of your gaming every now and then. From this you can adjust your spending to fit your current play.