I really enjoyed reading this thread! I see why it is one of the best of 2p2. I do, however hope that I receive a response from the question I have:

In the current climate of online poker, is making a deposit a workable way to begin a bankroll for online cash game play?

I only ask because it seems to me that that depositing is a high point of contention online.

What would the alternative be? Grinding a bankroll through freerolls just isn't viable unless you don't mind spending the time to do it. Playing freerolls isn't going to help you learn to play cash games.

Also, if you're just starting out, you will probably be a losing player at first (pretty much everyone is even if only for a couple weeks). If that's the case, you simply want to play the lowest stakes available and set a budget on how much money you're willing to lose. You don't need to worry about bankroll management until you think you're a winning player and ready to move beyond the lowest stakes. Once you reach that point, it's imperative that you don't play higher stakes than your bankroll allows.

I think the only contention is depositing in order to move up in stakes. Most people think you should grind from the lowest stakes up.

I do in fact, suck at unl

Thank you for the input WishIcouldLAG and gcoho!

It is not that I am worried about a bankroll now, but I do know that if I want to play confidently and properly I will need a stable bank to draw from. That is why I am grinding from the micro stakes. If I can manage a bankroll with the losses and variance that will inevitably fall on me, I will be even more profitable in the long term. It also helps that BRM is a huge factor in my goals with poker.

this should be updated, i'd recommend more buyins nowadays

I was just reading the OP and thought the same thing. Twenty buyins is way, way below the recommended these days.

As a beginner, I'm being told not to walk around with less than 40-50. At least.

Same for live, yes?

You the man!

Taking shots is about setting a 'budget', so to speak. Optimal bankroll at your typical stakes is predicated on winrate and standard deviation, so you should have a general idea of how much you can risk before needing to leave the higher stake in order to recuperate in such a way that won't be a substantial loss at your usual stakes.

EDIT: Nevermind!

Rule numer one: Don't go broke

Rule number two: See rule number one

solid bump

ah when BRM used to be a thing