Why Is Bankroll Management Essential?
Bankroll management is the key to success in poker, especially in tournaments (MTT) where variance is very high.
Even the best players can go through long periods without winning.
Without a proper bankroll, a simple bad run can make you go from a “solid regular” to “broke” in just a few sessions.
Bankroll is your survival tool. It determines:
- Your ability to handle losses,
- Your level of play,
- And your longevity at the tables.
What Is a Tournament Bankroll?
Your bankroll is the total amount dedicated exclusively to poker.
It's your playing capital, kept separate from your personal finances.
Example:
You have €1,000 in your poker account → this is your bankroll.
You decide to play €5 tournaments → you have 200 buy-ins, which is excellent.
Goal: to withstand swings without ever risking bankruptcy.
What Bankroll for Poker Tournaments?
The required bankroll depends on your game format, frequency, and player style.
1. Multi-Table Tournaments (MTT)
This is the most volatile format.
A winning player may lose 100 tournaments in a row without it being abnormal.
- Recommended: at least 100 to 200 buy-ins
- Example: bankroll of €2,000 → maximum buy-in €10
- For cautious pros: up to 300 buy-ins
The larger the field (e.g., 2,000 players), the more buy-ins you need.
2. Sit & Go (SNG)
Less variance than MTTs, but still unpredictable in the short term.
- Recommended: 50 to 100 buy-ins
- Example: bankroll of €1,000 → maximum buy-in €10–20
3. KO / Bounty Tournaments
Knockout tournaments have slightly less variance thanks to bounties but still require 100 to 150 buy-ins for healthy management.
How to Determine Your Ideal Buy-in Level?
To determine the maximum buy-in suited to your bankroll:
Simple formula: Bankroll / 150 = recommended maximum buy-in
Example:
Bankroll = €3,000
→ 3,000 / 150 = €20 maximum per tournament
👉 This ratio protects you from long losing streaks and ensures sustainable play.
Adjusting Your Bankroll as You Progress
Your bankroll should evolve along with your results and skill level:
- Do you win regularly? Move up limits gradually (+10 to 20%)
- Are you on a losing streak? Move down temporarily. If you switch format (MTT → KO or High Stakes), recalculate your target bankroll.
- Do you often cash out? Keep a reserve equivalent to 3 months of play.
Discipline is more important than luck.
Critical Mistakes to Avoid
- Mixing bankroll and personal money. Always separate your poker finances.
- Moving up in stakes too quickly. Wait until you have a meaningful winning sample size.
- Playing outside your bankroll "to get even". Bad idea: tilt leads to busto.
- Underestimating variance, even pros have 100-tournament downswings.
- Ignoring rake and fees. They eat into your results over the long term.
Mental Game and Bankroll: The Other Half
Good bankroll management is also about emotional management.
When you know your capital is protected:
- You play more relaxed
- You make better decisions
- You avoid tilt and "panic" sessions
Financial peace of mind = mental peace = better long-term results.
Conclusion: Bankroll, Your Real Secret Weapon
Good tournament bankroll management is what separates disciplined, sustainable players from unstable, ruined players.
It's not meant to limit your winnings, but to protect you from variance and allow you to play your best poker in the long term.
In summary:
- At least 100 to 200 buy-ins for tournaments.
- Never mix your bankroll with personal money.
- Stay disciplined even in tough times.
Bankroll management is not a constraint… it's your most powerful shield in the tournament poker jungle.