Being properly bankrolled

[scottsterling]

Hey everyone,

After a lot of study, both of books and of my own records, I've come to the decision that I'm inadequately bankrolled and have decided not to play again until I can get my bankroll where I want it (about 300 BBs). Does anyone else have a specific bankroll requirement or made a similar move to fortify their position?

Good fishing,
Scott

[jar]

I'm careful to maintain a 300BB roll online, but I play beyond my roll live. My reasoning for this is that I really want to avoid redepositing online, so I'm very protective of my bankroll. With live play, if I bust out, it's easy to grab a few hundred from my checking account and start over at 2/4. I'm currently rolled for 4/8, but I've been playing the foxwoods 5/10 kill game, because the game is so damn good, and I've been running well lately. If I have a few losing sessions, it's back down to 4/8.

[Rounder041]

I also like to have 300BB roll for online. If you run into a cold streak it is nice to have enough to bounce back with. Also, playing in live games it does seem easier to play with less of a roll, considering the ease of getting a few hundred bucks from the ATM.

[MisterKing]

So long as you're able to carefully monitor where you are dollar-wise, there's no reason not to play "above your roll" when at a B&M casino. Two factors matter most: ability and speed.

As far as ability, the live 3/6 or 4/8 games will often correspond in skill to the online 1/2 or 2/4 games, so if you're a 2/4 regular online and have been winning there, you're probably equipped to take on the somewhat higher live games.

In terms of speed, you'll see far fewer hands live than online (between 1/2 and 1/16th, depending on how many tables you play online). This means your ability to win and lose money rapidly is much greater online than it is in a B&M game, and as a consequence that your risk of ruin is less in the slower live games. This doesn't mean you can't lose your shirt in a live game -- clearly you can -- but that losing poker will be easier to catch before its too late in a live game. For observant and self-critical players, this fact is very helpful and liberating.

My advice: play whatever games you are comfortable in, and if you start to drop enough chips as to have a real impact on your roll, then consider moving down in limits or calling it a day.

[jar]

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As far as ability, the live 3/6 or 4/8 games will often correspond in skill to the online 1/2 or 2/4 games

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You're playing the wrong 3/6 or 4/8 games [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] The 4/8 at Foxwoods plays looser than party .50/1. Are games elsewhere significantly tougher?

[bconway6]

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Does anyone else have a specific bankroll requirement or made a similar move to fortify their position?


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I play at the level where I feel confident in my skills and can loose a buy-in or two without it hurting too bad. If the 4-8 game is as good as the 2-4 game, why not play at the 4-8 if for no other reason than to deal with a comparatively smaller rake? This is assuming that if you loose you money now you will be able to replenish the roll by some other means. (a.k.a. a job)

[sleepyjoeyt]

So, do you remember any of the details of the exact hand that sent you to the rail?

Just kidding, but I believe a lot of these types of posts are from someone who just busted out and is looking to develop a plan to prevent it from happening again.

Good luck.

[scottsterling]

Reading the post, you would think that. I didn't bust out because I played like a lot of the people on this thread have said, where they didn't have a problem going to the ATM. I'm trying to avoid that. I've got a job where I could probably afford to lose more money than I actually do, but I think the only way to truly keep good records and judge myself as a player is to keep my poker finances separate from my personal finances. It's sort of like a kid not wanting his dad's help when learning how to ride a bike, if that makes sense. But you're right. If I read the post, I would immediately think "tilt".

[midas]

Jar - definitely agree with you on the FW 5-10 game, once I graduated from 4-8 I have never looked back. You need to get used to the swings - I've been up $800 and down $200 after an hour, conversely, I've been grinding near breakeven all night, struggling to stay awake and walked away with $1,000. That's the kill working its magic!!

BTW, some of the regulars that use to play 5-10 have graduated to 10-20 because they thought the 5-10 game was getting too loose!!

[jar]

Yeah, I'm really gonna miss this game when I move away. I'm soon finishing school and moving back to the Philly area. I've been meaning to post asking what game in AC I should start playing, but I haven't gotten around to it. I'm thinking the Borgata 6/12, but I'm open to other options.