Poker can be the gateway to a lifetime of riches and fun, but something that can keep even the most seasoned poker players from reaching stardom, or even just plain old profitability, is bankroll management and its effect on your short and long term goals as a poker player. Improper bankroll management is the quickest way to take a strong and secure bankroll and completely destroy it, second only to tilt and playing while impaired, and those two things are a part of bankroll management, as well.

When utilizing bankroll management, its important to make sure the playing conditions are prime for you before using your roll. Are you in a good mood? Sober? Is the table looking tough or easy? Are the players playing in a style that suits your game? Take all of these factors into account before allowing yourself to even buy in to the game. After your table assesment, make a limit of the amount of money you’re allowed to lose before calling it a night. A good rule of thumb? Never put more than 10% of your total bankroll on the line in a single session. That way, you can recover from a loss far easier and ride out a rough stretch of cards longer than a player who may plunk down 25% or more of his bankroll in one session would.

The key to good poker bankroll management is looking at your bankroll as a long-term investment with short-term goals you want to reach every session. Make sure the game is optimum, your bankroll is suited to handle the stakes, and understand exactly what you’re allowed to lose (or win, there are instances where you could find a reason to leave; shifting game conditions, for example) and you’ll grow your bankroll and your profits in no time.