Poker Cash Game: Bankroll ManagementBecoming a successful
cash game player means being a professional banker because you
absolutely must take your bankroll seriously. Even though many
people have side jobs to help support their bankroll, making sure
you have enough money for the game at hand is crucial. This is
especially important for cash games because the swings can become so
high that a small bankroll won't be able to handle it. For instance,
in a No-Limit game, you want to call pairs and A-x suited on small
raises so that when you do hit a hand you can potentially get their
all-in or close to it. Without a bankroll, there's no way you can
call any raises with less than premium holdings - you'll be playing
scared and scared money never wins. Also, if cards are running dry,
the blinds will take a toll on your bankroll. The general rule
that most good players follow when playing a cash game is that you
need at least 10 chances to win an all-in on a cash table, meaning
that you must have a bankroll that can handle at least 10 buy-ins
before even thinking about sitting down to play. Most of the time I
keep a bankroll that gives me at least 30 buy-ins to ensure that I
never go bust. In Limit games, the general rule is to have 200
to 300 times the big bet. The swings in Limit play aren't as bad,
and more than likely they're swings from hand-to-hand rather than
from your bankroll. This means your bankroll won't take as big a hit
as in No-Limit, but it also means you have to play longer and more
consistently to come out ahead. Again, a solid bankroll can
help you play consistently because you'll be able to stay calm when
you take bad beats or go through a rough patch of bad cards, and you
won't have to worry about your money. There is really no "one"
answer regarding the best way to manage a bankroll, but these
general guidelines should provide you with a foundation that will
help you on your path to poker success. | 
