Team Full Tilt
January 16, 2006
"Poker is a tough business," says Erik Seidel. "You can go through long
streaks when you don't win anything." When things go
badly, when you can't seem to cash in a tournament or
win a significant pot in a cash game, you come to
understand the importance of maintaining an adequate
bankroll.
Just how big should your bankroll be? How much money
do you need to ensure that a bad run won't put you on
the rail? We Full Tilt Poker pros agree that the answer
depends on a number of factors, including the types of
games you're playing, the level of competition you're
encountering, and your psychological disposition.
As Jennifer Harman says, "Some players can be
effective on a relatively short bankroll, but others
need more of a cushion. They'll get stressed out and
play scared if they don't have enough money behind
them." So you need to be aware of your comfort level at
the table. If you're nervous about what you stand to
lose in a given pot, you're probably playing too high
for your bankroll. Harman, like most Team Full Tilt
members, recommends a conservative approach and suggests
maintaining a bankroll that leaves plenty of room for
downswings. "If you're playing $10-$20 limit, I think
$10,000 is about right," says Harman.
John D'Agostino agrees, "You should never play a
limit where you feel uncomfortable." He suggests that a
player shouldn't put more than five percent of his
bankroll in play at any time.
The need for a sizable bankroll exits for tournament
play as well as cash games. Erik Seidel, a tournament
specialist, notes that long droughts are common for
tournament professionals and that entry fees can add up
quickly. "If you were to play all of the $10,000 buy-in
events, you could spend half a million over the course
of year," says Seidel. "Even top players can have years
when then don't cash for $100,000, so having a proper
bankroll is critical."
"You need a much bigger bankroll in tournaments than
you do is side games," agrees Chris Ferguson. "A lot of
people play tournaments without nearly enough. You
easily need 100 buy-ins. Maybe 200."
Playing over your bankroll is fine once in awhile,
but all the pros concur that it's important to leave
yourself plenty of money to recover from unlucky hands
and the occasional mistake. D'Agostino, one of the top
young players in poker, offers one further tip for
hanging on to your money. "Don't play Phil Ivey heads
up. I tried that once and I failed miserably."
Team Full Tilt
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