For most tournament poker players, a bankroll will not be built in a day. With cash rates in tournaments being low as a norm, a tournament poker player should ensure they are not playing over their heads when selecting poker tournaments. Just because the big tournament to play is the PokerStar Sunday Millions does not mean you can afford to play it. You should consider your bankroll, in relation to the tournament’s buy-in before deciding whether or not that tournament is for you. By choosing your tournaments wisely, you can better build your bankroll while reducing the risk of going broke over the course of a few sessions.

Firstly, you must be certain that you are totally and completely comfortable playing at the level you are playing. Even if your bankroll is $10,000, you might not be comfortable putting $200 at risk in one tournament. If that is you, then find a lesser buy-in. Unless you are very comfortable at the buy-in level, you will not play optimally. You will find yourself folding hands you should stay with and making plays based on emotion, which lead to disaster.

Secondly, be sure that your bankroll contains at least 100 buy-ins at the level you are playing – on average. I say on average, because there is nothing wrong with taking an occasional shot down the field. However, do not overdo it. If your bankroll is $1000, then you should be playing tournaments that are near the $10 range more often than not. Again, that is not to say that you cannot enter the Millions on Sunday. However, make sure you are playing $10 tournaments as the rule, not the exception. Otherwise, you will fall victim to the negative end of variance and go real broke very quick.

Finally, as your poker bankroll grows or shrinks, adjust the limits you are playing. If your bankroll drops down to $500, then move down and focus on $5 tournaments. On the other hand, should your bankroll grow to $2000, move up and begin playing $20 tournaments on average.

Playing poker at a level that is comfortable to both you and to your bankroll is key for having a long and profitable career as a tournament poker player. By sticking to games that are one one-hundredth of your bankroll, you will be certain to tough it out and you greatly reduce the risk of going broke all at once.