This is it, the absolute beginning. I don’t care what
level you may (or may not) be playing at, without an adequate poker bankroll, you are
screwed. I’m not joking, you are absolutely screwed. Trust me, I’ve been there.
Unfortunately, I’ve been there on numerous occasions because I was stubborn
like many of you. If you are just starting out without a poker bankroll and intend to
play on a regular basis, do yourself one favor – postpone. I’m not kidding,
don’t start. Take a lesson out of Dave Ramsey’s financial makeover plan.
Accumulate $1000 as fast as you can. You need to do whatever it takes, sell old
stuff, cancel cable, mow lawns, or find a part time job (not Poker wise guy).
Our local charity events pay $50 a night for a 4 hour shift. You could do
something like that, and learn more poker, and for free too!
$1000 is by no means an adequate poker bankroll for 1/2 NLH,
that’s for sure. The idea is that once you see how easy it was to scrape
together $1000, it will not take much more to scrape together another $1000 for
a total of $2000. In my opinion, and many other sources, $2000 is an adequate
starting poker bankroll for 1/2 NLH. You can afford to take bad beats, and overcome
the occasional cold streak, without going broke. If you were stubborn like me,
and have been grinding away with your one buy-in, you will not believe what
having a poker bankroll does to your game. It lifts that huge burden off your
shoulders. Face it, if you have been playing with one buy-in, you probably
can’t really afford to even lose that. When you have little poker funds, you
over analyze every decision, because you can’t afford to reload. Sound
familiar? That is no way to play winning poker. There is enough other stuff to
worry about.
For all of you NLH tournament specialists, you are not
going to build your bankroll playing tournaments either. I’m not talking SNG
tournaments; which are a different animal entirely. If you have skills, you
will place in tournaments. However, unless you are the next Stu Ungar, you are
not likely to win enough to cover your losses. If you do end up placing high in
a tournament, or even winning the thing, it will only be a matter of time
before you burn through those tournament winnings. No one is saying you can’t
take the occasional stab, or play them regularly with an adequate poker bankroll. I’m
just saying tournaments are not a smart way of building your poker bankroll. I’m sure
there are some success stories out there, but those are definitely the
exception.
You have to be disciplined as you are building your
poker bankroll. It’s not easy to walk away with a loss, especially if you’ve lost
your stack when you put it all in with the best hand. Conversely, don’t get
greedy. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen players go from table captain
to reloading. Don’t be that guy. If you are running hot, go for it. However, if
you are getting close to the end of your session and you take a hit; don’t try
to make it up in one orbit. It doesn’t work, and you will only end up losing
more. Poker is going to be there tomorrow and most of the players you will be
playing against at this level will not be back any time soon. I’ve made the
necessary changes, and now my poker bankroll is steadily increasing and I don’t plan
on turning back. Try to keep your poker bankroll separate from your life
bankroll. It’s not easy, especially if you fall on hard times. You’ve got to do
what’s best for you and your family. Just remember, poker will be there
tomorrow.
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