Poker calculators
All calculatorsWhat this poker bankroll calculator does
- Risk of ruin from your numbers. Enter your win rate and standard deviation and see the chance of losing your whole bankroll, plus the bankroll you need for a 1%, 2%, 5% or 10% target.
- Format presets. Start from 6-max or full ring cash games, PLO, MTTs, Sit & Gos or Spin & Gos. Replace the starting values with your own tracker numbers.
- Move-up and move-down rules. Set how many buy-ins you want before moving up and how few before dropping down, and see the exact bankroll amounts, with the risk of ruin one level up.
- Downswing simulator. Watch 100 random runs from your win rate and variance, with the median run, how many went broke and a typical worst downswing.
- Rupee, dollar and euro. Pick your currency; rupee amounts use Indian digit grouping.
- Rule-of-thumb estimate. The quick estimate by buy-ins (20, 40 or 60 for cash, double for tournaments) is still there, with monthly exposure.
Manage Your Poker Money Like a Professional
Successful poker players don’t just play great hands—they manage their money properly.
Our free Poker Bankroll Calculator helps you determine the ideal amount of money needed to safely play cash games and tournaments while minimizing your risk of going broke.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, proper bankroll management is one of the most important skills for long-term success.
💰 What Is a Poker Bankroll?
A poker bankroll is the amount of money specifically set aside for playing poker.
Your bankroll should be separate from your:
- Personal expenses
- Savings account
- Emergency funds
- Daily living costs
A dedicated bankroll helps protect you from variance and emotional decision-making.
⚙️ How the Poker Bankroll Calculator Works
This calculator uses several factors to estimate your recommended bankroll.
Inputs
1. Game Type
Choose your preferred format:
- Cash Game
- Tournament (MTT/Sit & Go)
2. Average Buy-In
Enter your average buy-in amount.
Examples:
- $10
- $25
- $50
- $100
3. Risk Level
Choose your playing style:
Aggressive
- Smaller bankroll requirement
- Higher risk
- Faster movement up stakes
Balanced
- Recommended for most players
- Moderate risk
Conservative
- Lowest risk
- Better protection against variance
4. Monthly Sessions
Enter the number of poker sessions you play every month.
Examples:
- 10 sessions
- 20 sessions
- 30 sessions
📊 What the Calculator Shows
After clicking Calculate Bankroll, you’ll see:
Recommended Bankroll
The ideal amount of money needed.
Recommended Buy-Ins
The suggested number of buy-ins for your chosen format.
Risk Profile
Your selected risk tolerance level.
Monthly Exposure
Estimated amount invested each month.
Session Coverage
How many sessions your bankroll can safely support.
🧠 How to Use the Poker Bankroll Calculator
Example 1: Cash Game Player
Input:
- Game Type: Cash Game
- Buy-In: $50
- Risk Level: Balanced
- Monthly Sessions: 20
Result:
- Recommended Bankroll: $2,000
- Recommended Buy-Ins: 40
- Monthly Exposure: $1,000
This gives enough protection against normal downswings.
Example 2: Tournament Player
Input:
- Game Type: Tournament
- Buy-In: $20
- Risk Level: Conservative
- Monthly Sessions: 25
Result:
- Recommended Bankroll: $2,400
- Recommended Buy-Ins: 120
- Monthly Exposure: $500
Tournament players generally require larger bankrolls because variance is higher.
🎯 Recommended Poker Bankroll Guidelines
Cash Games
| Buy-In | Recommended Bankroll |
|---|---|
| $10 | $400 |
| $25 | $1,000 |
| $50 | $2,000 |
| $100 | $4,000 |
Tournament Players (MTT)
| Buy-In | Recommended Bankroll |
|---|---|
| $5 | $500 |
| $10 | $1,000 |
| $25 | $2,500 |
| $50 | $5,000 |
📈 Benefits of Using a Poker Bankroll Calculator
1. Avoid Going Broke
Protect yourself from bad runs and losing streaks.
2. Play Within Your Limits
Avoid playing stakes that are too high for your bankroll.
3. Reduce Emotional Decisions
Good bankroll management removes unnecessary pressure.
4. Handle Variance Better
Poker has natural ups and downs.
Proper bankroll management helps you survive them.
5. Build Long-Term Profitability
Professional players focus on sustainability, not short-term wins.
🚫 Common Bankroll Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Playing Stakes That Are Too High
Moving up too quickly can destroy your bankroll.
❌ Chasing Losses
Never increase stakes after losing sessions.
❌ Mixing Personal Money
Keep poker funds separate from everyday expenses.
❌ Ignoring Variance
Even good players experience long losing stretches.
❌ Poor Discipline
Stick to your bankroll plan consistently.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many buy-ins should I have for cash games?
Most players should have 30 to 50 buy-ins.
Conservative players may prefer 60 buy-ins.
How many buy-ins should tournament players have?
Tournament players usually need 80 to 150 buy-ins because variance is much higher.
What is the safest bankroll strategy?
The conservative approach offers the best protection against variance.
Why do tournament players need bigger bankrolls?
Tournament poker has greater variance and longer downswings.
🚀 Improve Your Poker Success with Smart Bankroll Management
Winning poker isn’t only about playing strong hands.
Long-term success comes from:
✅ Managing risk
✅ Staying disciplined
✅ Surviving variance
✅ Making smart financial decisions
Use our free Poker Bankroll Calculator before moving up in stakes and build a sustainable poker strategy.
Poker Bankroll Calculator FAQ
What is risk of ruin?
It is the chance that you lose your whole bankroll at some point, given your win rate, your standard deviation and the size of your bankroll. The calculator uses risk of ruin = e to the power of minus 2 times win rate times bankroll divided by variance.
Where do I find my win rate and standard deviation?
Your tracking software shows them: big blinds won per 100 hands and the standard deviation per 100 hands for cash games, and ROI and standard deviation in buy-ins for tournaments. The presets are only starting points.
Why does the simulator show runs that go broke even with a winning player?
Poker results swing a lot around your true win rate. With a smaller bankroll, some random runs fall to zero before the win rate has time to show, and the simulator makes that visible.
How many buy-ins do I need?
It depends on your win rate and variance. Rules of thumb are 20 to 60 buy-ins for cash games and more for tournaments, and the risk-of-ruin figure shows what your own numbers need.
Are the results guaranteed?
No. The model assumes your win rate and standard deviation stay the same and results are roughly normal. It is an estimate to help with planning, not a promise.
