Poker players, especially ones new to the game, often wonder, How big of a poker bankroll should I start out with? The answer is not always that cut and dried. In fact, there are several factors that play into your decision. However, one thing is for sure, if you are not comfortable with any size of poker bankroll, you should stick to betting matchsticks or pretzels.

One of the most important and deciding factors in figuring out your poker bankroll is identifying what dollar amount you would feel comfortable losing. It’s a fact of poker that you are not going to win every hand, so it stands to reason you will lose some money in the process. Be sure to set a certain dollar amount and take only that amount to the poker game. You’ll be less tempted to spend more than you can afford to win back your money.

Another factor in determining your poker bankroll is the type of games you like to play. Some poker games like No Limit Holdem do not lend themselves to a smaller poker bankroll. If you are not comfortable with losing a lot of money, perhaps Draw Poker which tends to have lower limits would be more your speed.

Finally, if playing poker is just something you do with the guys on a Friday night, then your poker bankroll should reflect that. Always be aware of your other financial obligations and avoid going to the ATM for more green. The general rule of thumb for a poker bankroll fluctuates. Some poker experts say that you should have at least forty to fifty times the ante and others say several hundred. It all comes back to being comfortable with the amount of money you are willing to lose. If you start feeling the slightest bit of tension over your poker bankroll, then that is your cue to fold and cut your losses.