Building a Bankroll from Nothing

Hey there,
I recently just started playing pokerstars frequently and had my friend transfer me $5 so I could begin playing real money sit'n'go's. I played the $1 double or nothings a couple of times, and I earned enough money to transfer the money back and started to play $5 double or nothings. I am now up to $140 after only a week and a half and I was wondering what you think my new strategy should be to win more money. Thanks for the input.

That's not starting a bankroll from nothing, and you took some tremendous risks/went on a heater to get your roll to 140 that fast. You're only rolled to play .02/.05 cash or 3-5 dollars max SnG's. If you try to keep up this "fast pace" you'll only end up busto.

Bankroll Management

What he means is that the very best players will occasionally get long streaks of simple bad luck. In order to prevent going bust during these dry spells you will want to look up and read a few posts on bankroll management. Bankroll management is one of the key 'skills' that poker players require, and is very often overlooked.

Be sure to read bankroll management articles specifically for your game, as the guidelines differ depending on the type of poker you are playing.

It sounds you make a good start.And you have quite good skill having earned money so fast.I think you go on playing $5 double or nothings and get more bankroll.Then up to $10 double or nothings....And on..Gradually. Dont be so hurry.

1$ is not nothing.
I think you had a lot of luck with that.
I would keep the half of it and play with the other half. And I wouldnt risk so muck. Keep yourself to the bankroll management.

dont be so quick to move up. If you are having good luck at these Double or nothings, keep playing the current level until you have jumped up your BR. If you start to go on a losing streak, drop down a level, until you get your BR back. I have been on these winning streaks when it seems you can do no wrong, but soon variance will take over, and your BR could get crippled. You may still be doing the right things as when you were on your winning streak, getting it in the middle with the best, but the cards just fall the wrong way

WTG mrmood6007. At any given tourny you play, make sure you don't have up to 5% of your bankroll at risk. Along the way, you will encounter a bad run of cards. Preserving your bankroll is everything. This is by far the biggest leak in any players game. Believe me, I speak from expeirience. Pick from the tree, don't chop it down. Pleanty a fruit will grow, as will your bankroll.

Good start but i also agree with josh....if you don't slow it down a bit you will end up with nothing real fast.I know we sound like a bunch of haters but i have been there to many times.Look up articles on bankroll management as you are in a good spot to start earning some real cash.I would look for cash tables or tourny's where i'm only playing 2% of my bank roll to protect myself against those dry spells.Good luck

thanks for all of the advice. i know everyone is right about the bankroll management aspect of my game, but i was wondering specifically if i should just continue playing double or nothings on pokerstars or play tournaments or ring games instead. thanks for the help.

Standard BRM I have read is 65 buyins for Single Table SNG's and 100 buyings for MTT's.

Grinderinoz said:

Standard BRM I have read is 65 buyins for Single Table SNG's and 100 buyings for MTT's.

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Not with a 140$ roll

Today I played in freeroll (with 0.0 $ in the cashier, I registered there a few days ago). Got 3rd place in this tourny with 2900 players. So now I can start to build my bankroll there from nothing.

what kind of strategy you play?? but sincerily win starting with 5 dolar uo to 140 is really good!! congrats

Chris Ferguson's challenge was an experiment in BR Management. I recommend that you give it a read:

Chris Ferguson's Bankroll Management

He covers setting limits and stepping down in games. I have heard a lot of talk that reducing game variance is key to building bankrolls while limiting losses. Most recommend to build up playing Single Table SnGs

I went on a similar streak and tried sticking with my $10+1 SnG's with $160 in the BR.

After breaking even from two more of those, I'm playing $3-5 ones until it gets bigger. Streaks don't last forever.

I would try a $100 triple or nothing sng.