Bankroll Management: The Unsexy Secret to Survival
Nobody wants to talk about bankroll management. It's not exciting. There are no hot tips or secret strategies. But it's the single factor that separates gamblers who survive from those who don't.
Even with perfect strategy and the best games, variance will destroy you if you're not properly bankrolled. The math is unforgiving.
The Core Principle
Your bankroll is money specifically set aside for gambling—not rent money, not savings, not credit. It's the amount you can afford to lose completely without affecting your life.
Separate it mentally and physically. Different account, different wallet, whatever works. The moment you're gambling with money you can't afford to lose, you've already lost—the emotional pressure will destroy your decision-making.
Sizing Rules by Game
| Game | Recommended Bankroll | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Blackjack | 200-300x min bet | Moderate variance, frequent small swings |
| Video Poker | 1000-2000x bet | High variance, returns concentrated in rare hands |
| Craps | 200x min bet | Moderate variance with pass/don't pass |
| Slots | 500+ spins worth | High variance, unpredictable |
| Poker (cash) | 20-30 buy-ins | Even good players have losing streaks |
These numbers might seem excessive. They're not. Variance is wilder than most people imagine. A 10-bet downswing in blackjack is completely normal. A 500-unit downswing in video poker before hitting a royal flush is possible and expected over time.
Session Management
Before you sit down, decide the maximum you're willing to lose that session. When you hit it, stop. No exceptions. Common rule: 10-20% of your total bankroll per session.
Some players set a target and quit when they hit it. This doesn't change expected value but provides emotional discipline. If you're up 50%, locking in the win isn't mathematically necessary but isn't wrong either.
Fatigue degrades decision-making. Set a time limit independent of results. Four hours is a common maximum. Tired gambling is bad gambling.
The Psychology Trap
Bankroll management is really about controlling your own psychology. The rules exist because humans are bad at making rational decisions under pressure.
When losing, the temptation is to chase—bet bigger to recover quickly. This is how small losses become disasters. The math doesn't care that you're trying to get back to even. Each bet has the same expected value regardless of your history.
When winning, the temptation is to push—"house money" feels different from your money. It isn't. A dollar won is identical to a dollar brought. Treating winnings as less valuable leads to reckless play that erases gains.
Rebuilding After Losses
If you lose your bankroll, stop. Take time away. Don't deposit more money in the heat of the moment. If and when you rebuild a gambling bankroll, it should come from a cold, rational decision—not from chasing losses.
The games will still be there next month. The casino isn't going anywhere. There is no urgency to gamble. Every successful gambler knows when to walk away, and they do it often.