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Managing your poker bankroll properly is one of the most crucial aspects of being a successful tournament player. Whether you’re an amateur looking to play for fun or a professional aiming for long-term profits, bankroll management (BRM) is essential to surviving variance and ensuring you don’t go broke.

Understanding MTT Variance

Multi-table tournaments (MTTs) are high-variance games. Unlike cash games, where win rates can be more stable, MTTs involve significant swings due to large player pools and top-heavy payout structures. Even skilled players can go on long losing streaks before hitting a big score. This is why proper bankroll management is vital.

General poker bankroll management Guidelines for MTTs

Most professional poker players recommend having at least 100 buy-ins for the stakes you’re playing. However, this number can vary based on factors like:

• Your Skill Level: More experienced players might manage with fewer buy-ins.
• Field Size: Larger tournaments require a bigger bankroll due to increased variance.
• Playing Style: Aggressive players who take more risks might need a larger bankroll.
• Rebuys and Add-ons: If you’re playing re-entry or rebuy MTTs, factor in additional costs.

Here are some general bankroll recommendations:

• Low Variance (50-75 Buy-ins): If you play small field MTTs or satellite tournaments.
• Standard Variance (100 Buy-ins): Suitable for most regular MTT players.
• High Variance (200+ Buy-ins): Ideal for players competing in large-field online or live tournaments.

Practical Example of Bankroll Management

Let’s say you want to play $11 buy-in MTTs. Using the 100 buy-in rule, you should have a minimum bankroll of $1,100. If you want to reduce your risk further, consider 200 buy-ins ($2,200) to withstand downswings.

For a $55 buy-in tournament, you’d need at least $5,500, and ideally closer to $11,000 for a safer bankroll strategy.

Adjusting Your Bankroll Strategy

If you hit a downswing and your bankroll drops significantly, consider moving down in stakes until you recover. Conversely, if your bankroll grows, you can take shots at higher buy-in tournaments while maintaining solid bankroll management principles.

Conclusion

Proper poker bankroll management is the key to long-term success in MTTs. By maintaining at least 100 buy-ins and adjusting based on your risk tolerance and game selection, you can reduce variance and stay in the game longer. Managing your poker bankroll wisely allows you to survive downswings and maximize your potential winnings over time.