Today I hit a milestone in my quest to build my bankroll to a level that befits my cocky stature. I doubled my deposit at Full Tilt in just a couple of weeks and now I have a decision to make. Should I move up in limits?
With my bankroll now a little over $200, my bankroll management strategy allows me to play $10 Sit N Goes. I’m comfortable with these because it’s the level I used to play back in the day, and yet, the thought of potentially losing 25% of my bankroll in a single session (I five-table) is sickening. I also don’t want to stay at the $5 Sit N Goes and miss out on profits, so here’s what I do:
How To Move Up in Limits
Whenever I’m ready to move up in limits, I ease into the new territory. Instead of jumping right in and opening up five $10 SNG windows, I open up four $5 windows and one $10 window. As I start racking up winning sessions, I increase my $10-to-$5 SNG ratio; first two $10 SNGs, then three, then four and finally all five. There are a few reasons this system works well for me.
First off, I’m risking less of my bankroll and gradually increasing my risk tolerance. Instead of jumping from $25 to $50 in a single session, I slowly increase my expose from $25 to $30, then $35, and so on until I finally get to $50. If it turns out that my new limit is too tough, I’ll find out quickly and with a minimal loss.
Second, my system gives me a chance to build my confidence at the new limit. If I were to jump in, I might start playing scared money. After all, when you move to a new limit you’re usually risking significantly more money. That change causes a lot of players to tense up and start playing passively – which, of course, causes them to lose money.
By slowly adding the new limit into the mix, you almost forget which table it is and you continue playing the same game that was a winner for you at the lower limit.
Finally, my system helps me spot limits that are fundamentally different. There’s not much difference in moving from $2 to $5 SNGs or from $5 to $10 SNGs, but I’ve heard that the level of play is much different in $20 SNGs than it is in $10 SNGs. By moving up slowly I can spot these changes and adapt my game quickly and without hurting my bankroll.
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Moving up in limits isn’t just about numbers. Your bankroll can’t tell you when you’re ready. Test the waters in a way that minimizes the impact to your bankroll and maximizes your confidence. Play it smart and the money will come.
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ok… thank you for pointing out that the game doesn’t change much between $5 and $10. I’m struggling with this decision right now myself having just reached the $500 level on FTP playing just $1 and $2 SNGs, MTTs and satellite MTTs, and some HU SNGs too. That was one of my initial questions about trying to play at two levels simultaneously, phasing one level out as the other becomes more profitable.
I’m trying to find out what to do now really… because I know I’ve been playing underneath standard bankroll rules for a while now. When the miniFTOPS sats go away, I don’t think it will be nearly as profitable.