Bankroll Management

[FourForty44]

I've been playing online poker for a while now, but I still struggle with bankroll management. Please assist me with your strategy on when to withdraw, and what percentage to withdraw and just generally how do you manage your online bankroll

 

[SpanRmonka]

Bankroll management has nothing to do with whether you wihdraw or not! Imagine you play live poker and have $1000 to play poker, it doesn't matter which casino you play at, or what bank account you keep it in.

What matters, is how much money you have, and what games you want to play.

The caveat to this is that its only natural for humans to play differently if they have $20 in their account, or $200. Playing a $5 game will feel more critical if you only have $20 in your account, so thats a good reason to keep a good BR in your account

 

[fundiver199]

Bankroll management has nothing to do with whether you wihdraw or not!

I think, the question could also mean "when should you take money from your poker bankroll and spend it for something not poker related". Which for most people is part of bankroll management, since its a decision about, how large your bankroll should be. But if it literally means going in the cashier to request a withdrawal, then that is not bankroll management. The reason for doing that could for instance be a desire to try a new site or rebalance funds between sites. Or simply have some of your bankroll sitting in a regular bank account for risk management reasons.

 

[SpanRmonka]

I think, the question could also mean "when should you take money from your poker bankroll and spend it for something not poker related". Which for most people is part of bankroll management, since its a decision about, how large your bankroll should be. But if it literally means going in the cashier to request a withdrawal, then that is not bankroll management. The reason for doing that could for instance be a desire to try a new site or rebalance funds between sites. Or simply have some of your bankroll sitting in a regular bank account for risk management reasons.

Yes, this could well be more about what the OP is actually trying to get at.

In which case, it a personal thing. You should aim to play comfortably at the limits you play, but not too comfortably, assuming you hope to challenge yourself, make some shots here and there!

If you need to use the funds in your BR for non poker life, then just do it!! But accept that you have to re assess your levels of play

 

[fundiver199]

If you need to use the funds in your BR for non poker life, then just do it!! But accept that you have to re assess your levels of play

Exactly. Taking money out of your poker bankroll and using it for non poker life is fine, but you need to accept, that it will prevent you from moving up or even force you to move down. If you have decided, that the game, you are going to play, is SnGs on pokerstars, and they dont really run above $10 regularly anyway, then there is no reason to have a $5.000 poker bankroll.

So you might as well spend some of the money for something else. But if you want to move to MTTs and play up to $44 games, then you should not reduce your bankroll, unless you deem other short term goals to be more important. Like having a vacation with your family or fixing your house or whatever. So it depends on your goals and plans with poker.

 

[Marshmalo1994]

I've been playing online poker for a while now, but I still struggle with bankroll management. Please assist me with your strategy on when to withdraw, and what percentage to withdraw and just generally how do you manage your online bankroll

I think that depends on what's your goal right now.
For example, in my case, I first reached my BR goal. After that, each time that I have around +$100 winnings I destin 25% to keep increasing the bankroll, and the rest is destined to withdraw. If it's less, I don't count them, and if I have a negative session, the following winnings I use them to rebuild my bankroll.
So, I know that it will take more time to reach the next level, but I'm playing where I feel comfortable, it gives me time to keep improving and learning, and it allows me to see some actual winnings every now and then.

 

[E.Rostowicz]

I’ve had the same problem for a long time, especially with quick online sessions.
What helped me was a very simple rule: whenever I’m up, I take something out. Even a small cashout feels like progress, and it stops me from giving everything back.

Another thing – I decide in advance how much I’m willing to lose on that day. If I hit that limit, I just close the site and come back another time. It sounds basic, but sticking to it actually makes a difference.

Out of curiosity, what do you usually play? Cash or tournaments?

 

[anasslaaleg]

I’ve been playing online poker for a while, and I’ve learned (the hard way) that bankroll management is everything. Without it, even the best strategy can fall apart.
Here’s how I handle it now:
- Set clear limits : I only risk 1–2% of my total bankroll per tournament. That gives me enough room to survive the downswings.
- Separate poker money from real life money. My bankroll is strictly for poker. Bills, food, and savings are never mixed with it.
Withdraw smartly : I only withdraw once I’ve built my bankroll above my target level (for example, when I double it). Then, I’ll take out around 10–20% of the profit — just enough to enjoy or reinvest — while keeping enough to keep grinding.
- Reinvest in growth : Sometimes instead of withdrawing, I’ll use profits to move up slightly in stakes or buy tracking software/coaching to improve faster.
The key is discipline : bankroll management isn’t exciting, but it’s what keeps you in the game long enough to hit the big scores.

 

[miklcct]

I created accounts in 3 online rooms and put a small amount into each of them:

GGPoker: $20
PokerStars: £10
unibet: £10

Unfortunately I didn't choose the correct welcome offer (I didn't see the option of getting free tickets instead of matched deposit by default) and lost everything on GGPoker, and I have only received $1 from the match bonus by now.

On PokerStars I used a promo code to get $55 worth of Spin & Go ticket, played them all and now has grown to $73.

On Unibet the welcome offer was 3 freerolls and 4 x €5 MTT tickets. I played them all and never made any into the money, and only won about €4 in bounties (one of them was a bounty tournament). Unfortunately I once entered a wrong game (I normally play Hold'em but entered an Omaha table) and lost my whole buy in so I didn't grow my bankroll there, and with the minimum stake more than GGPoker and Pokerstars and less freebies it was a bit hard for me to play as well.

 

[Fallenglory]

I've been playing online poker for a while now, but I still struggle with bankroll management. Please assist me with your strategy on when to withdraw, and what percentage to withdraw and just generally how do you manage your online bankroll

I think you need some basic goals first, what stakes do you want to play at? Do you have an end goal or do you want to make some money on the side each month?

If you need an example: in my signature you can see the link to my thread with my personal goals for 2025.

 

[FourForty44]

I think you need some basic goals first, what stakes do you want to play at? Do you have an end goal or do you want to make some money on the side each month?

If you need an example: in my signature you can see the link to my thread with my personal goals for 2025.

Thank you! I'll check it out

 

[austral]

Think of Your Money in Three Separate Parts

A solid bankroll strategy treats your poker funds as three “accounts” with different purposes:

a. Operational bankroll

The money you actively use to play.

Follow the standard buy-in rules (20–100 buy-ins depending on format).

This money should never drop below the minimum needed to safely play your current stakes.

b. Safety reserve

Around 10–20% of your total bankroll, kept outside the poker site.

It protects you from bad downswings or allows a quick reload if needed.

c. Profits / Withdrawals

The extra money you can withdraw once your bankroll exceeds your safe range for the current level.

When to Withdraw Money

This depends on your current phase as a player.

a. Growth phase

If your goal is to move up in stakes, don’t withdraw until you’ve built the bankroll required for the next level.

Example: playing NL10 with U$S400 and needing U$S800 for NL20 — keep everything in your bankroll until you reach that point.

b. Stable phase

Once you’re comfortably rolled for your current level, withdraw the excess above your target bankroll.

Example: You play NL25 with a 40-buy-in bankroll (U$S1,000).

If you grow to U$S1,300, you can safely withdraw U$S300.

 

[UngureanuDan]

Think of Your Money in Three Separate Parts

A solid bankroll strategy treats your poker funds as three “accounts” with different purposes:

a. Operational bankroll

The money you actively use to play.

Follow the standard buy-in rules (20–100 buy-ins depending on format).

This money should never drop below the minimum needed to safely play your current stakes.

b. Safety reserve

Around 10–20% of your total bankroll, kept outside the poker site.

It protects you from bad downswings or allows a quick reload if needed.

c. Profits / Withdrawals

The extra money you can withdraw once your bankroll exceeds your safe range for the current level.

When to Withdraw Money

This depends on your current phase as a player.

a. Growth phase

If your goal is to move up in stakes, don’t withdraw until you’ve built the bankroll required for the next level.

Example: playing NL10 with U$S400 and needing U$S800 for NL20 — keep everything in your bankroll until you reach that point.

b. Stable phase

Once you’re comfortably rolled for your current level, withdraw the excess above your target bankroll.

Example: You play NL25 with a 40-buy-in bankroll (U$S1,000).

If you grow to U$S1,300, you can safely withdraw U$S300.

Thank you ChatGPT, but its a good example!

 

[Matt_Burns88]

What exactly is it that you struggle with?

If you give more information, you will get much more helpful advice.

 

[Igor Popadyk]

If poker is not your main source of income and there are no problems with tilt, I’m in favor of just accumulating a larger bankroll and no longer thinking about withdrawing

 

[Lux12]

Play within limits Stick to stakes where your bankroll can withstand variance. A common guideline:

• Cash games: At least 20–30 buy-ins for the stakes you play.
• Tournaments/SNGs: 50–100 buy-ins, since variance is higher.