Poker is a popular game that has been played for decades, and it has evolved from just being a social pastime to a lucrative profession. Many players dream of making a living playing poker, but the question is, how much bankroll do you need to play poker for a living? In this article, we will explore the factors that determine the size of bankroll you need to play poker professionally.
Firstly, it is essential to understand what bankroll means in poker. Bankroll refers to the amount of money that a player sets aside for playing poker.
This money should be separate from your everyday expenses like rent, bills and groceries. The bankroll should only be used for playing poker.
When it comes to determining how much bankroll you need to play poker professionally, several factors come into play. These factors include your skill level, the type of game you intend to play and your lifestyle expenses.
Your skill level is one of the most significant determinants of how much bankroll you need. If you are an amateur player who is just starting out, you will need a smaller bankroll as compared to a professional player who has been in the game for years. This is because professionals have honed their skills over time and have developed strategies that enable them to win consistently.
The type of game you intend to play also determines how much bankroll you need. For instance, if you plan on playing cash games with no limit Texas Hold’em as your preferred game, then your minimum buy-in should be 100 big blinds (BBs). For example; if you want to play $1/$2 no-limit hold’em cash games with 100BB buy-ins ($200), then ideally, your minimum bankroll should be around $20k- $30k.
On the other hand, tournaments require less money than cash games since they are one-off events that require a single buy-in fee. However, there are still expenses to consider, such as travel and accommodation costs. The rule of thumb for tournament players is to have a bankroll that can cover at least 50 buy-ins for the events they intend to play.
Your lifestyle expenses also play a significant role in determining how much bankroll you need. If you have high monthly expenses such as rent, car payments and other bills, you will need a larger bankroll since you will require more money to cover your daily expenses. Players who live frugally can get by with a smaller bankroll since they don’t have many expenses to cover.
In conclusion, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to how much bankroll you need to play poker professionally. The size of your bankroll depends on several factors such as your skill level, the type of game you intend to play and your lifestyle expenses.
As a general rule of thumb, it is recommended that players have at least 20-30 buy-ins for cash games and 50 buy-ins for tournaments. Always remember that poker is a game of variance, so it’s essential to have enough money in your bankroll to withstand losing streaks and avoid going broke.
