Poker players generally play both tournaments and cash games, though most of them specialize in one or the other.

No matter the frequency that one plays tournament poker or cash game poker, it’s important to differentiate how much of their poker bankroll should be in play at any given time.

Bankroll Management For Poker Tournaments

Tournament poker involves a decision to commit to a buy-in amount for a single event. Live poker requires more consideration because the player’s time and effort is all focused on a single event. Online poker allows for players to compete in more than one tournament at a time. In addition, online tournaments move along more quickly, which means players must consider rebuys, reentries, and multi-tabling in bankroll considerations.

Poker tournaments come in all shapes and sizes. There are different poker games, table sizes (six-max, heads-up), structures (multi-table, sit-and-go), rebuy and reentry availability, prize pools, and payout possibilities.

Considering these variables, there are guidelines for tournaments to keep that bankroll in order.

MTT Bankroll Calculator

Multi-table tournaments (MTTs) can have a wide range of buy-ins and field sizes. Those are the primary considerations when considering MTT bankroll needs. In general, a good guideline is:

• Standard MTT of up to 1,000 players: bankroll should contain approximately 100 buy-ins (100 units)
• Large MTT of 1,000 players or more: bankroll should contain approximately 200 buy-ins (200 units)

SNG Bankroll Calculator

The sit-and-go is more commonly found online, such as when people play poker online at BetMGM. These types of tournaments tend to play more quickly than MTTs, and there are special skills required to do well at SNGs. A good guideline to follow is:

• Standard SNG of 9 players: bankroll should contain approximately 50 buy-ins (50 units)
• Larger SNG of 45 players or more: bankroll should contain approximately 100 buy-ins (100 units)

Bankroll Management: Cash Games

Poker players find cash games to be more flexible for their bankrolls because of the ability to cash out at any time. When a player is down a certain number of buy-ins, they can simply leave the table and regroup. Conversely, if a player doubles their buy-in, they can call it a win, leave the table, and not risk losing it in that session.

In cash games, however, players must pay more attention to game choice, max buy-ins, and details of the cash games. For example, a Limit Hold’em cash game requires less of a bankroll commitment than a No Limit Hold’em cash game because of the potential size of the pots. And if a game is likely to include straddles and other extra bets, players must ensure that their bankrolls can handle those swings. 

There are many factors to consider for cash game poker bankrolls.

Limit Hold’em Cash Game Bankroll Calculator

The most common cash games for poker players looking to build a bankroll is Limit Hold’em. The limited betting provides more stability and keeps pots from getting out of control. Limit games also offer lower max buy-ins, so they allow players to start with low stakes and move up consistently.

• Online poker cash games with max buy-ins of $20 or less: bankroll should consist of 50 to 75 buy-ins (units)
• Online poker cash games with max buy-ins of $40 to $80: bankroll should consist of 75 to 100 buy-ins (units)
• Online poker cash games with max buy-ins of $100 or more: bankroll should consist of 100 to 125 buy-ins (units)
• Live cash games with max buy-ins of $100 to $200: bankroll should consist of 50 to 75 buy-ins (units)
• Live cash games with max buy-ins of $300 or more: bankroll should consist of 100 buy-ins (units)

No Limit and Pot Limit Cash Game Bankroll Calculator

The standards for cash game bankroll requirements vary within the No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha world, but there are some guidelines. Keep in mind that the lowest blinds are only available online, and the larger ones can be found online and in live poker.

• Online poker cash games with max buy-ins of $25 or less: bankroll should consist of 75 to 100 buy-ins (units)
• Online poker cash games with max buy-ins of $50 to $100: bankroll should consist of 100 to 125 buy-ins (units)
• Online poker cash games with max buy-ins of $200 to $1,000: bankroll should consist of 100 to 150 buy-ins (units)
• Live cash games with max buy-ins of $100 to $200: bankroll should consist of 100 buy-ins (units)
• Live cash games with max buy-ins of $500 to $1,000: bankroll should consist of 125 buy-ins (units)

These bankroll units can vary depending on the volatility of the games and the speed at which they play.

Poker Bankroll Variables

The primary reasons that poker bankroll guidelines fluctuate and vary pertain to the individual nature of poker players. Every player starts their poker journey from a different place and has unique priorities, placing varying levels of importance on their poker bankroll strategy and the game itself. For example, a player who wants to compete for a living should be more cautious with their bankroll than one who plays only for entertainment. 

Players must figure out what works best for them. Cautious players who are comfortable traveling their poker paths at a slow but steady pace might be able to risk more of their bankrolls in a game than players who are prone to splash around and take chances. Remember, there are plenty of poker bankroll management tools for guidance. 

In addition to personal preferences and styles, poker is a game of variance. There is skill involved, of course, but luck plays a significant role. Every poker player experiences upswings and downswings. To be prepared for the downswings – no matter how good they might be running at the moment – is to use strong poker bankroll management.