One question you’ll hear a lot in the poker community is: “How many buy-ins should I have to play x stake?” The answer varies widely, ranging from shot-taking at 20 buy-ins to the more conservative 100 buy-ins. However, how many buy-ins you have isn’t the only factor determining whether you should play a certain stake, and overlooking other important elements can cost you money.
The First Key Element: Your Level of Ability
Being honest with yourself is crucial. Do you really think you’re beating the stake you’re looking to play? This applies whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned pro. Even if you’ve had great results at, say, 10NL cash games over a small sample, you might technically have enough funds to move up. However, small samples can be deceptive, and variance can work both ways. Someone who’s losing over the same small sample could be the better player, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling like the best player in the world after some run-good.
Advice: Give yourself more time at your current stake and build a larger sample that will reliably show that you’re playing winning poker. The games will still be there a week or two from now if you decide you’re ready. Moving up before you’ve mastered the required skillset can damage you financially and mentally, and it’s worth taking the extra time to ensure you’re ready.
There’s No Shame in Moving Down… or Not Moving Up
What if you’ve already moved up but are struggling? When should you move down? Many players suggest moving down upon reaching a certain buy-in threshold, but the reality is that if your confidence has taken a hit and you’re not comfortable, your bankroll will likely suffer soon enough. There’s no point in risking your last 10 buy-ins at 100NL if you’re playing with anxiety or struggling to think clearly because of a downswing.
You’re better off moving down sooner to preserve those 10 buy-ins, regaining confidence at a lower, less financially stressful stake, and then tackling the next level once you’re ready. Confidence in your play and being comfortable with the money in play are crucial to playing your best poker. Rigidly following a pre-set bankroll strategy doesn’t account for these psychological factors.
Advice: Being comfortable with the money in play is key to playing your best poker.
The Importance of Deciding What’s Right for You
Maybe your bankroll isn’t a problem, you’re happy with your results, and you don’t feel the need to move up. There’s no hard-and-fast rule here—if you’re consistently winning at a stake you’re comfortable with, in a pool of players you’ve studied, then staying where you are might be the best move. Perhaps you moved up for a while because you could afford it, but didn’t enjoy the added pressure, and your win rate suffered as a result.
Advice: There’s no shame in moving back down to where you’ve had success. If you move from 25NL to 50NL and your win rate halves, you’re winning less money overall.
Decide What’s Important to You
Ultimately, people play poker for different reasons—some purely for financial gain, others just for the fun of it. Not everyone needs to move up as soon as they “can.” Decide what matters most to you and don’t let others dictate your decisions.
I recently stepped back from 100NL after a tough run of losses. Despite some questioning, I have no problem admitting it. I’ve started to find my feet again and have had some wins, which has improved my outlook going into future sessions. I’m sure I’ll return to 100NL, but not before I’m ready. I won’t stay there unless it feels right, and when I do return, I’ll be aiming to bring my best game.
For now, though, I’ll be hanging out in the 50NL streets.
