Hey all, I want to start a cash game challenge where I build a cash roll playing live (or atleast try).

Where I play, they have a $1-3 100-300 buyin game, 3-3 $500 max game, and 2-5 $300-1000 buy in game. I haven’t done too well at cash live but it mostly has been bc I drink when I play and do “stupid things” when on vacation.

Ok so just wonder what kinda of bankroll I would need to not go busto at $1-3 where I plan to buy in max when I play. The goal would be to put in at least 2 sessions a week of 4-6 hours. Would move up stakes when bankroll allows or mix in 1/3 and 3/3 when I could. Any thoughts on what kinda of roll would be required to not go busto in say 6 months if I play 2x a week. I would guess $6k would be good start and maybe add a little to the bankroll every week from my paycheck and maybe once a month throw in $100 or so. Goal would be to build roll so I could play higher stake games when the roll allows and not take a big risk playing games not properly rolled for.

Thanks for thoughts. Also would prolly bring 2.5 buyins per session if game was good and reload if busto and keep stack maxed when possible- Aka if lose $100 early in session throw 100 on so we have max stack. I plan to start studying cash a lot more- I’ve been a successful live tourny grinder but have put the work in studying: need to put more focus on cash. Thanks for any thoughts on this topic here! I appreciate the assistance.

My educated guess- $6k would be good start. Might take a while till I can play higher games but I plan to add to the roll weekly and bigger add on once a month. Goal would be to get roll to say $10k/15k/20k just for cash games so I could dabble in bigger games. Feel it will take long to get to $2/5 which is my ultimate goal but worth the grind ar $1/3. I work full time so if I lost cash roll- wouldn’t be a big deal honestly. Want to treat it seriously though to see if I can become a solid cash player.

That all sounds pretty reasonable. If you're playing so little volume and have a regular job, however, you might be better off playing 2/5 if you'll be able to contribute to your bankroll over time. On the other hand, if you're not clearly a winning player in live cash games, starting at smaller stakes is the correct move.

I wouldnt really worry about the 6k bankroll. You certainly could have a 6k bankroll and that would be great but i just dont think its necessary because you arent playing for a living. Unless you are just saying if you lose the 6k youre done forever.

I personally play best when i have 3 buyins in my pocket when i walk in so thats what i do. It gives me enough to top off as needed plus reload if i bust. This allows me to play confidently. I started playing more live recently when a room opened in my city and I started with just those 3 buyins. If I had lost it I would've just had to wait a little bit to save up again. To me that was better to get in the game right away than wait to save up 6k or something like that.

I would play the 3/3 game if I were you. There will probably be more action than 1/3 and you can buy in deeper which benefits a skilled player.

Definitely this if you have a job, especially if you think you're +ev or at least breakeven. I read someones well recently, I think Limon, and one of his pieces of advice to someone looking to get back into poker was essentially this. Risk what you can afford to lose at whatever interval makes sense, once a month, whatever. Eventually, if you're a real winner, you'll go on a heater, and then you'll have a decision to make.

Thanks for this. I would play 2-5 or 3-3 but I see on weekends they have like 1 game running of each and I’m going to be honest- I think I can win at 3-3 and 2-5 no question but my past results at 1-2 and 1-3 have been really bad. I think a little run bad + a little oh I was drunk and don’t care about the money so making a move that isn’t bright is something I will do.

I plan to take it seriously and study because I really wanna be a winning cash game player- I’m a winning tourny player Live no question but cash- I’ve struggled with. I feel I play a little too loose or laggy at times when I think tight abc poker will make money at low limit games where people make big mistakes.

I think if I play ABC and tighten up- I will grind out a solid win rate honestly. Anyone have solid sub sites to check out for cash? I’m on run it once now for tournies. I want to really deep dive and study low live cash games ($1/2 to $2/5) from hhs so I can learn.

I have played a few $2/5 sessions and have done quite well- last 2 ran very hot honestly- had one day where I turned $750 into 3k but was in Philly not near me. 1/3 has been rough for me but I think I might goof around a little too much which I plan to not do + no drinking when I play. Thanks for thoughts here.

6k- little risk of losing all of that correct unless I run horribly bad? I guess I just want to start at a point where if I add from my personal income a little each week and maybe grind out some profit playing live- maybe I can move up stakes. I think my goal would be to have 30buyinsfor bigger games like 3/3 or 2/5. Kinda just want to be strict with bankroll management so I can play whenever I want and not worry about going into my personal non poker money per se. I’m thinking start 1/3 at $6k bankroll, move up to day a mix of 33 and 1/3 when I have $8-12k, and then obv follow the 30buy in rule for full on 3-3 and then 2-5. Maybe I’m crazy but think I could move from 3-3 to 2/5 in a year to two if I add to the bankroll from my paycheck each week, make a little profit in low stakes games, and maybe add more when I have windfalls from say work bonus, maybe a bigger tournament cash I throw some money to roll, etc.

Basically I just want a poker cash game bankroll just for poker and nothing else. Basically so if I wanna play 1/3 or 3/3 or 2/5, I can go to a casino and not have to take money from other saving spots like my stock market money etc lol.



Final note- I think I can win at 2/5 and 3-3. I’m looking for easy money though and think 1/3 would give me a nice experience if I can play 2 times a week and build some money in profit. I’ll be honest- I do well in life and have a solid career. It does hurt: for example I lost a set to an overpair on a random J72 flop when I had 22 and guy had kk. Guy didn’t flip over cards. Dealer shows turn and river and then villian shows cards after spiking a K on river for a higher set. It was a $1500 pot at the Wynn and it kinda hurt even though I could care less about the money (aka losing didn’t materially affect my finances etc- I was on vacation).

Yea i mean if you have the 6k already go for it. I would recommend Crush Live Poker subscription they are really good.

And seriously dont mess w the 1/3 300 game. The real splashy gamblers are usually at the higher limits and thats who you want to play with. In my experience 1/2 and 1/3 are way nittier and more passive in general and you be better off playing 3/3 straight away. Then just play 2/5 as soon as you feel comfortable and confident. You dont need to have 30 buyins. I would start shot taking aggressively at 2/5 as soon as you get a few winning sessions under your belt. And definitely dont drink.

Thanks. I plan to start 1/3 bc where I live- like tonight they have 9 1-3 tables, 1 $2/5 and 1 $5/10 game.

If I travel to more touristy places like vegas, Atlantic City, etc- I’ll try to play 2/5 or just lower if they have games bigger than 1/3. I do agree 1/3 can be nitty. I find games where people buy in super short very annoying (Like when people buy in for $100-150 at a 1/3 game.