How do you decide when to move up in stakes?

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tcopeland93

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Been playing micro stakes on ignition for about a year, more seriously for a few months. I started by depositing $200, whittled it down to about $110, since then climbed back up to $190. I've been more focused on reading/learning, and I'm definitely starting to "get it," a lot more than when I was losing.

My question to you guys, is when do you know you're ready to move up in stakes? You can win for awhile based purely on luck/variance, without having the chops to move up to a higher level.

During the $80 swing I've been mostly playing 5NL Zoom and $1 SNG's, entered 1 MTT (which I actually won, accounting for $40 of the $80). I feel like its too early to move up, but I was wondering how others made that decision. Thanks for any input!
 
Robochick

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So I think I only move up in the buy-in when my ratio is strictly met. So for me 1/30th of my bankroll for a online cash game buy-in. 1/50th for a MTT buy-in.
 
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Guii_LF

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torneios buy ins

How do you decide when to move up in stakes?
Been playing micro stakes on ignition for about a year, more seriously for a few months. I started by depositing $200, whittled it down to about $110, since then climbed back up to $190. I've been more focused on reading/learning, and I'm definitely starting to "get it," a lot more than when I was losing.

My question to you guys, is when do you know you're ready to move up in stakes? You can win for awhile based purely on luck/variance, without having the chops to move up to a higher level.

During the $80 swing I've been mostly playing 5NL Zoom and $1 SNG's, entered 1 MTT (which I actually won, accounting for $40 of the $80). I feel like its too early to move up, but I was wondering how others made that decision. Thanks for any input!
 
pr0serbian

pr0serbian

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I think moving up in the stakes is best when you become really confidante in your game and that you can play higher stake,and ofc when you bulid your bankroll enough to play higher stakes
 
TeUnit

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Think this boils down to bankroll, if you have enough games to know you are crushing and your bankroll supports it, then move up.

Typically you will need a much bigger bankroll for games like spin an goes than you would for 9 man reg speed sngs. This is because sustainable rois are much lower in games like spin and goes than they are in formats like 9 mans.
 
starting_at_the_bottom

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If you are well bankrolled for the next level, and you have beaten your current levels over a significant volume.

You have done neither.
 
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williamsc99

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when it has buy-ins 100 that you can already limit level up
 
MattRyder

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If you feel like you're being bullied, then you're in over your head.

There are a lot of varying recommendations on the size of bankroll that you should be trying to achieve before moving up. Cardschat has an article at: https://www.cardschat.com/poker-bankroll-management.php

From what I've seen 20 - 40 buy-ins seems to be a popular estimate for cash games and 50 - 100 buying for tournaments. These can vary hugely though.

That said, I take a pragmatic approach. Since most of us are inclined to push the limits on this, I think that if you monitor how well you're playing and how much luck is factoring into your wins/losses then you may be able to adjust the your bankroll limits on the fly.

If you're doing great (skill & luck) you may want to move up early. But, you need to honestly monitor your progress at the higher level and be ready to drop back down when things aren't going well and/or don't feel right. If you feel like you're being bullied, then you're in over your head. On the other hand if you feel like you're the bully, then keep it up.

BTW, there's a neat little cash game bankroll calculator at: http://www.thepokerbank.com/tools/bankroll-calculator/
 
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Forbesy604

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Think this boils down to bankroll, if you have enough games to know you are crushing and your bankroll supports it, then move up.

Typically you will need a much bigger bankroll for games like spin an goes than you would for 9 man reg speed sngs. This is because sustainable rois are much lower in games like spin and goes than they are in formats like 9 mans.
This is some very sound advice
 
eberetta1

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I like what williamsc99 said. Move up when your bankroll is 100 times the maximum buy-in.
 
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tcopeland93

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Thanks everyone, and will do. Also sorry for not searching before posting....I now see there are like 20 threads asking this same question...
 
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titiduru

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Moving up in stakes should not happen while you are learning the basics.
 
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