If there are no smaller games in your area, play online or get a job (and a paycheck). Not bankrolled for $1/$2? Play a smaller game. You must understand that you do not have to play in a poker game just because it exists. These bankroll requirements may sound large, but there is no way around it, they are what is required.

If you are not a professional and you have a job, you can keep a smaller bankroll with the idea that if you lose it, you can always add to it with money from your paycheck. Professional poker players will want that number to be lower, meaning you need to keep an even larger bankroll.

Playing with these numbers will give you a 3% chance to go broke. Before I mention those, this table will simplify the relevant requirements for you: Win Rate There are a few factors that determine how many big blinds you should keep in your cash game bankroll. Delayed gratification will make life more pleasant for you in the long run, and benefit your poker bankroll. If you are willing to give up a little bit of spending power now, you will have a significantly larger bankroll later. Over time, the second player will continue to move up at a much faster rate than the first player. Doubling up and winning $10,000 in a year doesn’t sound too bad! However, the other player who withdraws $200 each month will have an incredible $46,800 bankroll! The player withdrawing $600 each month will take a year getting to $2/$4 with a $20,000 bankroll. How much of an impact does this $400 difference have on their poker bankroll and ability to move up? One of the players withdraws $600 each month to pay his mortgage and the other player withdraws $200 each month to pay for gas to and from the casino, plus some ramen noodles. They both play 40 hours each week at their local casino and win 7 big blinds per hour on average. Both players currently have $10,000 and need to get to $20,000 before moving to $2/$4. Two poker players who both play $1/$2 no-limit cash games want to move up to $2/$4.

Being Bankrolled for Re-entry Tournaments.

How to start your poker bankroll