Bankroll, am I being realistic?

[DeadLily]

The bankroll management discussion on the other thread was interesting. It blasts the plan that I had, which was this:

I don’t want to be a pro, but I do want to play to make extra $$. So my longterm goal was to buy into the lowest stake ($2 buyin), and play until I had gained 2x the buyin for the next stake. ($20 = 2 x $10). Then once attaining that, move up, and play until I had 2x the next stake up ($50 = 2 x $25), and so on. Should I ever lose one entire buyin, then I would move down a stake and play until I’m back to 2x.

Then should I ever get comfortable at a place where I could earn $100 or so a day, I would withdraw at the end of the week whatever I had that exceeded the 2x whatever stake I was playing at.

I sense that I’m being far too optimistic, but I have only just started. I’m willing to work at this, even if it take a few months.

[onlinebeginner]

so lets say u build ur roll to 430 dollars

u will play 200+15 ??????

is this what u were saying or did i misread?

[DeadLily]

No, a 430 bankroll would get me to play a $200 buy-in table, at which level I would then build to $800 (to get into a $400 buy-in table).

[onlinebeginner]

the best sitngoe players in the world don't cash twice in a row all the time

[notreallymyname]

The "entire buyin" phrase in the OP strongly suggests that he does mean cash games, not sngs. This plan is completely unrealistic, your risk of ruin would be phenomenal even without the withdrawing all your winnings past a certain point part. With that, you're as sure to go broke as any losing player.

This may not seem intuitive but there is sound mathematics behind these conclusions.

[Dov]

Try this instead: (assuming cash games)

Start with $20 and play $0.02 NL. When you win enough for a buy in at the next limit up (50 - 100 BB of the next limit), take a shot.

If you lose your 'Take a shot' buy in, move back down. If you don't, continue until you have 2000 BB for the current level (20 buy ins).

Repeat.

Keeping a full bankroll at the base limit will keep you from going broke. There is a very high likelyhood that you will experience the Peter Principle as you move up and get knocked back down repeatedly.

Each time you get busted at a higher limit, you should come back to the old one with a better winrate. (Ideally) That means that you need to concentrate on your game and plug the leaks as you go.

[DeadLily]

[ QUOTE ]
Try this instead: (assuming cash games)

Start with $20 and play $0.02 NL. When you win enough for a buy in at the next limit up (50 - 100 BB of the next limit), take a shot.

If you lose your 'Take a shot' buy in, move back down. If you don't, continue until you have 2000 BB for the current level (20 buy ins).

Repeat.



[/ QUOTE ]

Unless I misread you, this seems to be the exact essense of what I said. Ie.: always have twice the current buy-in, and move down if I don't. 20 buy-ins for .01/.02 ($2) = 2 buy-ins for .05/.10 ($10)

Obviously, while I'm learning, I'd be moving backwards more often than forwards. But I could never be broke, unless I was always losing at the .01/.02 tables, in which case I should give up poker.

[ottsville]

[ QUOTE ]
this seems to be the exact essense of what I said. Ie.: always have twice the current buy-in, and move down if I don't. 20 buy-ins for .01/.02 ($2) = 2 buy-ins for .05/.10 ($10)

[/ QUOTE ]

yes but...2 buy ins at 50nl is only 4 buyins at 25nl. So when you hit this point where you are moving up to 50 nl your ROR will be extremely high and you will probably have to move back to 10nl(or lower) if you get stacked once at 50 nl.

[TimB_Stoke]

If I understand you right, you're using an approach I occasionally use for tournament play. Example:

1. Win 2 in a row at whatever level I have 20 buyins for
2. Play next level
3. Repeat 1 & 2 until I lose a tourney (always making sure the profit from one level more than covers the buy in for the next level)
4. As soon as I lose one, I drop back to whatever level I currently have 20+ buyins for.

This way, a typical days play could go (assumming 6 handed SNGs with 70/30 payout):

Start $25
$1+.10 Win $4.20 - Balance $28.10
$1+.10 Win $4.20 - Balance $31.20
$3+.30 2nd $5.40 - Balance £33.30
$1+.10 Win $4.20 - Balance $36.40
$1+.10 Win $4.20 - Balance $39.50
$3+.30 Win $12.80 - Balance $49
$3+.30 Win £12.80 - Balance $58.50
$5+.50 Lose - Balance $53
$1+.10 Lose - Balance $51.90

Repeat until rich/broke.

It seems to be fairly effective for tournament games so far, in that it lets you maximise on winning streaks, as long as you have the discipline to drop back to your starting level when you lose. I wouldn't try it in ring games myself - the larger swings will eat your bankroll far more quickly.

[HOWMANY]

This plan sounds solid, it probably only carries a 99%+ ROR.