hey guys lucky puppy here. im playing on wsop and have been playing poker for about 10 years. i just recently turned $2.88 into over $1,000 ( in about 9 hours ) and i really would like professional help managing my money from here. ive had terrible management my whole career its been my downfall every time and i dont know exactly where to go from here. i play heads up sit n go's mainly and enjoy .25/50, .50/1, and 2.5/5 cash. any and all pointers welcome, thanks guys take care - LP

Hello!

It's important to know something more about you.

What is Poker for you? What are your goals related to the game? Do you have other incomes? Do you need to pay your bills or do you live with your parents and have few/none obligations?

Bankroll/money management is something really personal

If you're looking for a coach, I do provide both strategy coaching, mental game coaching and also "meta-game" coaching which would consist of approaches to bankroll management, game selection, variance, etc. Feel free to shoot me a PM if you'd like a free Skype consult on how I might help.

Alot of people have this problem. I know that I did when I first started playing poker, and it can be the biggest look "fundamentally good" players have.

My initial advice would be to start working on aspects of discipline in your life away from the poker table that will lead onto the table. The root cause of bankroll management really is just a lack of discipline.

Start small. Start with 3 small things that you can immediately change and grow from there. Make your bed every morning. Get your sleep schedule ironed out. Clean and keep you apartment or home clean.

Then from there you can start adding some other things in as well. Maybe get your diet in order and get in the gym on a regular basis. Make a extensive budget in excel and give you finances some meaning and purpose.


This next one I would say is a must...

I would also take some time to type up a mission statement of the sorts for your poker career and what you envision it too look like and what poker means to you. I would also type up some by-laws if you will, for what how you should manage your bankroll. What stakes your going to be playing... How many tables your going to be playing... What your ROI is and what you want it too be... What your winrate is and what you want it to be... And what you are going to do in the lab to get there. Asses what bankroll requirements you need to move up in stakes or move down. Write a clause on what % of your bankroll you are going to be cashing out and what you are going to be spending those winnings on. Maybe you are playing trying to build a roll right now and have a job or career elsewhere. Spend some of those winnings on some things that will be rewarding for you. Maybe a hundred on some new shoes or clothes to reinforce your progress. Maybe spend some on some new poker related programs or solvers. Whatever keeps you motivated.

It that small things that matter. Take the time to write some of these things out.

A study showed that expectant fathers that went out and bought books on becoming a new father were inherently better fathers regardless of whether or not they actually read the parenting books. So... Actually do the work.

You can rewire your neurons and your "bad habits." That was apart of the allure of poker for me personally. Yes the financial benefits are great, but I knew poker was a career choice that would expose my character defects and force me to deal with them should I be successful. I would have to address my depression, my bad "relationship" with money, my ability to network and manage friendship and set boundaries in the poker community... The list goes on.

I tell those that I coach this all the time...
"You are going to become a pro long before you actually are a pro."

If you want to be a pro. Start acting like one, in the small things. Do the things that the majority of your competition is not doing right now.


Good luck buddy. You're more capable that you realize.

Inspirational!