Currently cutting my teeth at NL2, and had a quick question to ask on BRM. I know the general rule of thumb is 20 BI, but does that change when you buy in deep? I buy in deep (250BB) at 2NL and would plan to do the same at 5NL. Would I therefore need a bankroll of $250 to move up to 5NL (20BI of 250BB), or do I just need 20 'standard' 100BB buyins (so, $100). Not going to move up until I feel ready, obv, but was wondering about this.

The 20BI rule isn't that much of a rule anyway, I like to keep 50BI for my reg. stakes and take careful shots when I have 28-30 of the next level. It depends on your reload ability, confidence interval, etc..at the nano stakes I guess it isn't a big deal to have 20.

If the table itself is deep then I'd say yes, have at least 17BI's at the deep stakes. I'm no expert though.

Bankroll management is based on the amount you buy in for.

Reloading is no real issue, but I'd rather not (has to be approved by the Mrs). Usually only one or two other people will be playing deep. Think I might take a shot when I hit $200, and drop back to 2NL if I drop 4BI (so, $60), does that seem sensible?

Then I'd suggest that you buy in full but not deep.

I didn't understand the last part, you will take a shot at 5nl when you hit $200? then how are 4BI's $60?

Gah, mistype, meant $50 (if buying in deep). Probably makes more sense to buy in full when I start at that level, though, you're right.

The point of a big bankroll is to lower variance and your risk of ruin (chance of going broke)

Variance is determined by game structure and your skill level.

Deep stack poker implies lower variance, but if you aren't doing well at that type of game then you should still probably stick to 20BIs.

Ultimately this bankroll stuff is all relative though. ie 20 BIs is suggested for HUSNGs, but I'm using 35 BIs because I can have some sick tilt sessions.

I'm sure the "20 BI" rule does change when you're playing deep stacked though. For cash games that have BIs lower than 100BBs it's recommended that you have MORE than 20 BIs, so alternately, requiring a smaller BR for deep stacked games makes sense. Again, this BR stuff is all relative.

Here's some math to put things into perspective:

For a 100BB cash game:

20BIs x 100BB = 2,000 BBs

So if an extension of the 20BI rule were to say 2,000 BBs for your stake...

2,000BBs / 250BB (<--your BI per session) = 8 BIs

Obv I'm not saying 8 BIs is ok for anyone's game, I'm just trying to show you how the 20 BI "rule" is flexible and doesn't really have to be followed exacty to the tee