Bankroll Psychology

Here's an article I wrote about an idea regarding mentalilty when dealing with a small bankroll.

A theory on the mind's perspective of numbers.

Good article - that is exactly what was happening to me, though my bankroll is not that small and spread between 4 sites. I started the spreadsheet tracking just a few days ago and you are so right about losing at one site and not keeping in perspective your total bankroll. I had a bad day in the middle of 2 decent days - and if it weren't for being able to see the numbers I would have been convinced my losses were bad. As it turns out for the 3 days I am only a few dollars down - and my attitude is very different.

Nice article, Stick. I think you've hit on a topic that hasn't been written about very much at all. I too tend to have my bankroll spread out among various sites, but I also use a spreadsheet for tracking every penny across the sites and total (as you mentioned). While I don't keep the spreadsheet on top of everything while I'm playing, I do have it open so that I can flip back to it and log everything going on with my bankroll from SNG buy-ins to ring games etc. Having these numbers immediately available to me is key in keeping track of where I am at and maintaining overall perspective.

Nice post.

There's now a part 2, if anyone's interested. It's about how stakes level DOES matter.

Very good article, thanks MrSticker. Particularly the concept of how a larger bankroll helps prevent tilt.

I know I've struggled to keep my game under control after loosing a chunk of my bankroll and I do play with a large chunk of my roll. I can't see me changing that habbit, but it was a very interesting point to read.

How much of your roll do you play with?

About 20%, but it was nearer 33% when I first moved up to this limit.

I'm taking some huge up & downswings (max $850, min $400), but so long as I keep playing my sensible game it's building up slowly. I'm aware it's risky, but my entire $600 bankroll has come off a $60 deposit, so I'm happy enough to risk it and I've told myself I'll drop down a limit if it goes below $300.

Right now I'm just trying to keep a level head and cut my variance down. I've caught myself tilting twice, but been able to build things back up afterwards.

I'd never move up beyond the .50/1 tables playing like this, but for now I feel the small bankroll is helping me learn the hard way that poker's a game of control, and that slow & steady is the way to go.

My long term plan is: If I can hit $1500 I'm gonna cash out $1000 and buy a new fridge freezer. If I can build the $500 back to $1500 after that I'll move up to the $1/2 tables. If I actually am playing well and it's not just luck hopefully I'll have the fridge freezer early next year, with the $1/2 tables following sometime in the summer.

Nice Articles there stick....i typically play one site at a time, so my swings are full swings...maybe i should throw some cash into other sites. Any ideas on good sites anyone?

Cheers to beers

EmpirePoker has my vote - their response to support request is streets ahead of Titan or Full Tilt.

I haven't any experience of the players anywhere other than empire though, I'm just opening a full tilt account now to try to get a free copy of Poker Office.

Thanks myxplix...might try there
Spiraldive

I like the article. Its good.. you should start a magazine..
but anyways

Goodluck with hitting ur long term goal...

Everyone could use a new fridge/freezer right?

I came up with sort of a "part 3" article, but not really. It's about how the correct stakes helps aggression.

Sticker, I think that last article hits the nail on the head for me right now. Or at least a good portion of the head.

I play better in SnGs than ring games at one site, and it's partly because there I'm trying to play with freeroll winnings. I can't go any lower, but I don't want to increase the bankroll 'cause part of the challenge that I've set for myself is to build it entirely off the freeroll winnings.

Plus, I'm a noob and my playing ability probably swings more than more experienced players anyways.