Common Beginner Bankroll Mistakes in Poker

Proper bankroll management is very important. If an individual is not able to limit financial losses while getting the most out of their money, they will constantly find themselves having to stop play much sooner then they would like. Poker is much less fun from the sidelines. Most people that enjoy the game would much rather be in on the action than watching it.  In order to avoid early and large losses, it is important that individuals learn how to manage their money.

For disciplined players, this tends to get easier with time and experience. It can however, be difficult for players just starting out. Some common beginner bankroll mistakes including not setting loss limits, not having a game plan, playing at tables where the competition is too tough or the buy-ins are too costly. Not being disciplined is also a common mistake that new players make. Below, we will discuss ways to avoid these common missteps.

Not setting loss limits

One of the biggest mistakes that beginning poker players make is to not set limits on how much they can afford to lose. Many times individuals will just assume that they will know when to shut it down and stop playing. Unfortunately, this rarely happens. Instead, they end up losing most of their bankroll (if not all of it) and leaving the casino with far less money than when they entered. Avoiding these types of mistakes is simple, maybe not easy, but simple. Determine ahead of time a loss limit. Once you reach it, stop playing.

Not having a plan

All poker players should have a spending plan. This goes behind simply figuring how much you can afford to lose. It is also necessary to know which tables an individual can afford and how much they can wager. Having this information can make one’s trip to the casino far less stressful.

Playing at tables where the competition is too tough

Some new players may play in a few free, online games and mistakenly assume that they are ready for the big time. This can end up very badly. There are many awesome players that will destroy those without an adequate amount of experience and skill. Spend as much time as you can practicing. Then begin playing in cheaper tournaments and games, where the competition is at least decent. Once a player is able to dominate these types of games, they may be ready to face the really good players. Playing at tables with competition that is far more skilled will put a quick dent in your bankroll. Therefore, avoid it.

Not being disciplined

It doesn’t matter how elaborate a person’s bankroll management strategies are if they do not have discipline. This is because an individual won’t stick to them if they don’t have any discipline. Instead, they will simply ignore all of the guidelines they told themselves they would abide by and instead act on emotion.

Probably the biggest mistake that beginning poker players make is not having discipline. If they are not able to control themselves then their poker “career” will either be short lived or they will develop money problems.

Playing at tables that are too expensive

We know that high rollers make playing poker seem amazingly glamorous. However, it is not possible for everyone to play in high stakes games. In fact, most people will not be able to. Don’t feel bad. Play in the games that you can afford to. There will be far fewer problems and you will be able to play longer because you won’t go through your bankroll as fast. 

New poker players often make very similar bankroll management mistakes. They tend to bet without a plan, play in games that are too expensive or competitive. Not being disciplined and not setting limits are other common mistakes. It is important that players with limited experience understand these pitfalls and then take action to avoid them. Deciding ahead of time how much money to spend or when to quit is key to proper money management. Avoiding games that are too expensive and instead playing in ones where one can get in the most hands is a simple way to stretch one’s bankroll. If a person is disciplined and willing to learn, it is possible to overcome these beginner mistakes and make much better decisions.