Bankroll Management

Another important aspect to a good poker player is good bankroll management. Personally I do not like to play at limits with less then 500 big blinds. As a general rule, if you are new to the game you would be better off staying at limits where your bankroll is not less than 1000 big blinds, this is because you must factor in the fact that you will have more losing sessions if you are a new player.

Poker is a game of variance, and the financial swings will cripple someone without the proper knowledge of bankroll management. I've known people who have blown there entire bankroll on 3 sessions of poker. What was my response "WHY ARE YOU SO STUPID?". If proper bankroll management is utilized and you play well, then your bankroll will only increase. But you must remember that you will have losing sessions, and you can not let this affect your game in the immediate future. You must leave yourself more ammunition to fight another day. Why waste all you bullets on a losing battle when it can be won another day!

Once you have dominated that limit you are playing then move up, as your bankroll will reflect the winning you have been acheiving. But also remember as you move up, the competition becomes more difficult and your swings may increase as well.