See Ya George

A poker player should select a game whose stakes are comfortable in relation to one’s poker bankroll. Often, new “full-time” poker players make the mistake of either playing over their head, or selecting a game in which the stakes are familiar or comfortable to them. While being comfortable is important in overall game selection, one must first size up the stakes in relation to bankroll size.

When choosing a level of poker to play on www.PokerStar.com, it goes without saying that the stakes should mean something to you. In fact, if the stakes are meaningless, it is truly a waste of time to play poker on what is thought of as a serious level. A $.05-.10 fixed limit game may be small in stakes, but that does not mean the game cannot be taken seriously. However, if a player lacks the ability to look at even a tiny game such as that in a serious manner, he should wait until his bankroll is sufficient to fund action in a level that is better able to be given serious thought.

A full-time poker player should have a minimum of 500 big bets behind him in his poker bankroll. This 500-bet minimum is in relation to money solely earmarked for poker play, and should be separate from the money utilized to pay short-term bills. Several months worth of bill paying money should be maintained in a separate account in ideal circumstances. If this is not the case, then a player should have a second means of income, which is capable of single-handedly paying the bills monthly.

When finding a level of game suited to your bankroll, have a plan if your bankroll is doubled. If you start out with $1000 on PokerStar, earmarked to play $1-2 Fixed Limit Holdem, plan to make the leap to the $2-4 game for a few sessions. Should you remain comfortable and successful at the $2-4 mark, consider remaining at this level. Give yourself a promotion. If uncomfortable at this level, it is acceptable to take profits from your bankroll, moving half the amount to either an emergency fund, or to pad your long-term savings account and move back to the $1-2 FL stakes.

Additionally, one can plan to move down in stakes if the bankroll takes a beating. If playing $1-2 FL online, and you encounter the negative end of variance, slide down to $.50-1 stakes – where you will again be with appropriate bankroll. You can graduate back to the $1-2 level when you double up.

By playing appropriately sized games, you stand a far better chance of successfully managing your bankroll, which will in turn extend your shelf life as a full-time poker player.