Bankroll Management (BRM)
Bankroll management (BRM) is the first mental skill to master in poker. It determines the number of buy-ins needed to play a limit without risking ruin.
Why is BRM Crucial?
Even the best players experience downswings. Variance is part of poker:
- A winning player at 5bb/100 can lose over 10,000 hands
- Bad beats and coolers are statistically inevitable
BRM protects you:
- Absorbs downswings without stress
- Allows you to play your A-Game without financial pressure
- Prevents ruin and premature stake increases
The BRM Quiz: 6 Questions, 4 Profiles
The Poker Toolkit quiz evaluates 6 dimensions to determine your recommended number of buy-ins:
- Goal: Fun vs serious income
- Risk tolerance: Fear of losing vs adventurous
- Format played: Spins (high variance) vs Cash (medium variance)
- Progression speed: Cautious vs quick shot-taking
- Skill level: Winning, breakeven, or losing
- Personal situation: Impact of poker on your finances
Each answer has a score. The total determines your profile.
The 4 Result Profiles
Casual Player (Score ≤ 0)
No BRM needed
You play poker like you'd go to the movies. You could deposit €10, play a tournament, and have a good evening. Play what you're willing to lose!
Conservative BRM (Score 1-8)
200 buy-ins and more
- Cash Game: 200+ BI
- MTT / Expresso: 300+ BI
You don't want to deposit more money to play poker and you want to limit the risk of moving down in stakes. For: beginner players, risk-averse, or financially dependent on poker.
Standard BRM (Score 9-12)
Between 100 and 200 buy-ins
- Cash Game: 100-150 BI
- MTT / Expresso: 150-200 BI
You want to limit the risk of having to deposit money while progressing through the limits. Balance between safety and progression. The most recommended.
Aggressive BRM (Score 13+)
From 50 to 100 buy-ins
- Cash Game: 50-75 BI
- MTT / Expresso: 75-100 BI
The money you allocate to poker has no impact on your daily life. You want to move up stakes quickly at the risk of having to deposit again.
⚠️ Increased risk of ruin. Make sure you have a safety net.
Using Your Profile
Concrete Example
Situation: €1500 bankroll, you play NL50 (€50 buy-in).
€1500 / €50 = 30 buy-ins
Analysis based on your profile:
- Conservative BRM (200+ BI): ❌ Undercapitalized → move down to NL10
- Standard BRM (100-150 BI): ❌ Undercapitalized → move down to NL20
- Aggressive BRM (50-75 BI): ⚠️ Low limit but playable
Moving Up/Down Rules
- Move up: When you reach the recommended BI for the higher limit
- Move down: When you fall below 75% of your recommended BRM
Free vs Premium
The BRM quiz is 100% free for all users.
Concrete Use Cases
Beginner Discovering BRM
Situation: €200 deposited, playing €10 games
Quiz: Conservative BRM profile (200+ BI because beginner) Calculation: €200 / €10 = 20 BI (insufficient!) Action: Move down to NL1 (200 BI)
Smart Shot-Taking
Situation: Winning at NL50 with €8000, wants to try NL100
Profile: Standard BRM (100-150 BI) Calculation for NL100: €8000 / €100 = 80 BI
Options:
- Conservative: Wait for €10000 (100 BI)
- Shot-taking: Move up now with stop-loss at €7000
Casual Player
Situation: €20/month poker budget that you're willing to lose
Quiz: Casual player profile Decision: Play what you want, no stress
Integration with AI Coaching
AI Coaching knows your BRM profile and can:
- Alert you if you're playing above your means
- Suggest when to move up or down in stakes
- Remind you of your profile when you want to shot-take
Example:
- You: "I want to try NL200"
- Coach: "With your Standard BRM profile, you need €20000. You have €15000. Wait or take a shot with stop-loss at €18000."
Related Pages
BRM isn't optional: it's the foundation of any sustainable poker career. Take the quiz now.