Bank control (bankroll) is everything!

One thing that separates the recreational player from the consistent one is the control of the bank.
It's no use winning today and losing everything tomorrow by playing too high limits.
A basic rule:

• Cash game: at least 20 to 30 buy-ins
• Tournaments: entries from 50 to 100

Without that, you're held hostage to variation.

Available capital also depends on income; sometimes, big players don't have a financial cushion to fall back on.

I built 104€ only with freerolls and now feeling ready to play 0.50 - 1$ tournaments till i make 500$. It feels like a bless to enjoy poker and also see it as a hobby instead of making pressure myself to become a pro player. If i reach 1000$ i might think about that.