Bankroll

dvst8r

I'm thinking about playing at the casino for the first time, I've gotten a lot of practice in, I've studied Lee Jones' low-limit book, I think I'm ready for the next level. I've heard my local casino has a minimum buy-in of $60 for the $3-$6 table, should I bring more or should I stay with the minimum? The Jones' book says I should bring about $72...what are your thoughts and experiences?

ScottyZ

I would buy in for at least $100, preferably $200. And I'd bring from something like $300 to $500 total to play with.

Lee jones recommends that for $3-$6, "you should start with at least $80 or $100, and have another $100 or $200 ready to put into play." (Later on, he refers to $72 as the amount it would cost to play in the maximal case of the betting being capped in all 4 betting rounds.)

The term "bankroll" usually refers to *all* the money you have set aside specifically for poker and nothing else, not just what you bring to one particular session. For a $3-$6 game, probably 2 or 3 grand is a comfotable bankroll for a long term winner.

If you do end up going, good luck, and let us know how it goes. 8)

ScottyZ

Unknown

To add to what ScottyZ said, a good buy-in when you sit down to play is 20X the BB. People won't think you're sitting with too much or too little, which is good if you don't want to come off as inexperienced.

For $3/6, that would be $120. I haven't been to a casino in a while, but I used to play $10/20, and would always sit with $400.

You shouldn't expect to need more than this, but you may need to reach into your pocket--if you can afford to--to iron out the effects of short-term deviation.

djw

dvst8r: I usually bring $200 to sit at the $3/$6 tables at Club Regent...

dvst8r

Thanks for the info guys! You're right ScottyZ, I checked back in the book and that's exactly what Jones says. I don't know if I'm ready to bring that much money to the Casino to play with, it also states in the book to not bring any money that is needed for your lifestyle.

I may have to build a bigger roll from my house games to get a decent cash in pocket.

If I do decide to go this weekend, I'll have to go with all_aces advice and do the 20x BB...I planned on going with about $125 anyways.

djw: when's the next time you plan on going?

BIGGYSLICKS

You can bring whatever you would like if experience is your main concern, but I personally would not feel comfortable without 50 x times the big bet in any given session. You want to give yuorself a chance. Sitting down understaked, which you would be with $72.00 will cause you to be more anxious and emotional which will likely affect your results.
So if you want to do it right wait till you have at least 300.00 for 3-6.

SupaMuncher

My advice is that for your first time in a B+M setting, you should find a nice, freezeout limit tournament. That way, you're guaranteed a longer playing time, and you'll be able to get accustomed to the speed of a live game. Also, you're only risking a limited portion of your bankroll.

I find that at tournaments, it's a little more acceptable to ask for help without ridicule. Don't worry about being "dead money", because if you're going for a first-time learning experience, you'd probably lose your stake in the cash game, as well.

That's the route I took when I first started out, and I'd definately recommend it for other first-time B+M'ers, especially if you're accustomed to the 0.5/1 online game.

Gamblor

The correct equation for your bankroll is, according to Mason Malmuth's Gambling Theory and Other Topics:

BR (BB) = 9(SD^2)/4(WR)

Where BR (BB) is your required bankroll in Big Bets, SD is your standard deviation, and WR is your winrate.

This is assuming a 5% risk of ruin (I believe), and is grossly oversimplified, but for the purposes of the forum, is good enough.

Anonymous

My first time (Rama), I bought in for $100 at the 2-5 table and thought it was just about perfect, so I'd agree with the 20x big bet.