How many buy-ins do I need for cash games?

For NLHE cash games, 20-30 buy-ins is standard for regular players. Winning 6-max players can play with 15-20 buy-ins. Full ring players can get away with slightly less due to lower variance.

Should I keep my poker bankroll in stablecoins or volatile crypto?

Stablecoins protect your bankroll from price swings. If you're a serious grinder, USDT or USDC gives you consistent buying power. Keeping your roll in BTC adds extra variance on top of poker variance.

When should I move up in stakes?

Move up when you have enough buy-ins for the next level AND you're a proven winner at your current level. A common rule: move up with 30 buy-ins for the next level, move back down if you drop to 20 buy-ins.

Poker Bankroll Calculator

Free Tool

Input your bankroll in crypto, game type, and stakes to get recommended buy-in levels, risk of ruin analysis, and when to move up or down.

Free to useNo signup requiredStrategy

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Optimized for United Kingdom Players

This tool works great for players in United Kingdom. Results are tailored for your region.

Enter Your Bankroll Details

Steps

Enter your total bankroll

Input the amount set aside specifically for poker in crypto or USD equivalent. This should be money separate from your living expenses.

Select game type and stakes

Choose whether you play cash games, MTTs, SNGs, or Spins. Each format requires different bankroll management strategies.

Set your risk tolerance

Conservative players need more buy-ins; aggressive players can play on shorter rolls. Be honest about handling downswings.

Apply the recommendations

Use the calculated stakes and move-up/move-down rules. Track your results and adjust as your bankroll changes.

Pro Tips

Cash games: 20-30 buy-ins for conservative players, 15-20 for experienced grinders
MTTs: 100-200 buy-ins minimum due to high variance - even winning players have long losing streaks
Consider crypto volatility - if your bankroll is in BTC, a 20% price drop effectively reduces your buy-ins
Stablecoins (USDT) eliminate bankroll volatility from crypto price swings

Example Input

Bankroll: 0.5 BTC (~$25,000)
Game Type: NLHE Cash
Stakes: $1/$2
Risk Tolerance: Moderate