Moving from cashing out to bankroll building
 

When I first began playing no-limit poker online for a reasonable amount of money, I'd only put 4 or 5x the buy-in, and cash out the entire thing when I felt like it. For the entirety of last summer, I played this way, usually doubling my money and taking a week or two off. During breaks from school, I would also play this way. This year I graduated, and as a result I'm looking to build a bankroll to play in higher games, rather than to have some extra spending money.

When I was playing in this 'unprofessional' fashion, the money really meant something because it meant DVDs, nice alcohol, taking a shot at 2-5 NL in AC, and so on. But now that I'm trying to build a .25/.50 NL bankroll into a 1/2 bankroll, I find myself calling a lot more, firing second barrels when I shouldn't, etc. I'm trying to outplay my opposition rather than win more money. I've been frustrated by my ability to build a bankroll as well: in the last six weeks I've fluctuated from $800 to $1300 with no consistent gains, so I now see my goal of building that bankroll as unattainable.

I was wondering if anyone's been through this transition and and how they got through it. I've been tempted to move other money into my BR just so I can play at a higher limit, but I'm not so sure I should with how sub-optimally I've been playing lately.

Re: Moving from cashing out to bankroll building
 

There shouldn't be any difference in your game strategy if you're buidling a bankroll or just looking to skim profits on a regular basis. In both instances you are trying to earn U.S. currency that can be redeemed at any time.

If you're looking to play 1/2 then $700 should be enough. $1300 is enough for 2/4. Even if you're playing smart poker, six weeks of break even or slight downswing is brutal but not totally out of the norm.

Re: Moving from cashing out to bankroll building
 

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If you're looking to play 1/2 then $700 should be enough. $1300 is enough for 2/4.

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I disagree with this. If the buyin is 100xBB, 3.5 buyins is nowhere near enough to play optimally in a NL game. 10-20 times the buyin is a good rule of thumb for a winning player.

Re: Moving from cashing out to bankroll building
 

if youre trying to outplay your opposition then youre maximizing your ev to the best of your abilities. trying to outplay your opposition by putting yourself into -ev situations really isnt outplaying them is it?

Re: Moving from cashing out to bankroll building
 

Right, of course, thought it was Limit 1/2

Re: Moving from cashing out to bankroll building
 

If you're going to play NL make sure you have 50 buy ins. You can do a few less, but you'll be happy if you have all 50.

Re: Moving from cashing out to bankroll building
 

Try 50 buy ins, and I think 30 is minimum. I mean, if you really are going for the long term and want to handle the swings that NL can dish out, don't skimp on the buy-ins. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: Moving from cashing out to bankroll building
 

There shouldn't be a difference, but there is. One has tangible benefits, the other is more of a long-term goal. I keep thinking that I am going to make $3K that I will never use, because it will be part of my bankroll.

50 buy-ins is really unnecessary. 15-20 is fine. Poker is not right now my sole income and I do not have many expenses. If I had to drop down in limits or add money to my bankroll, I could.

Tonight I moved up in limits and made a buy-in and a half, after swinging down a buy-in and a half. That's too high-variance: I think I will play one .50/1 table and two .25/.50 from now on.