Is Poker Tournament size biting into your bankroll?

Hope everyone is playing well and getting in with the BEST hands.

The other day I was looking at my bankroll and happily it has increased considerably over the past 2 months. However, I also happened to be looking at the size of the tournaments I have been playing in and it has a direct correlation to how well I have been doing lately.

Over the past month I have cut down considerably on poker tournaments that have more than 500-600 players. I still play a few here and there but nothing like I used to. For the most part I have been playing 180 player tournaments and 360 player poker tournaments. Since I consciously started doing this I noticed my Final Table percentage has gone up approximately 5.5%.

That is HUGE!

Having said that. I continue to play the $5.50 3000 starting chip tournaments simply because of the “High” potential value of winning a large poker tournament, this tourney typically has around 1800+ players and first place is usually around $1700+, despite the odds of “getting there” being considerably lower and the “luck” element being considerably higher.

Most professional players will tell you that they love it when the field is what I call “manageable”. By that I mean no more than 300 players. Preferably 120 or less along with a good structure of course. Usually the better players rise to the top while the donkeys get to watch from the rail. Playing online all of us have the ability to “manage” the size of our tournaments each time we play.

I am sure I have told you guys that I cashed out my bankroll about a year ago for vacations, Xmas, etc. and left enough for me to build back up. Well, that process is moving along well but it’s moving even faster now that I have reassessed my tournament entries. However, I do mix in some cash game play and “shots” at $20+ buy-ins along with my standard $4 and $5 tourneys but that’s just me. You have to do what works for you and what you are comfortable with. I say this to say that you CAN build a very nice bankroll with good money management and move up in the type of tourneys you play. I did it and peaked out at around $2800+ before I cashed out. Had I known what I know now about both the game and tweaked my money management a bit I am sure I would be well over $10,000+ by now at the least.

Remember, just like in cash games, once you get a nice win under your belt you can then move UP in limits. The same holds true for tournaments. Believe me, you take down a tourney for $1000 or so and now instead of playing the $4 every night or a couple of times a night and cashing and making Final Tables you are now able to play the $20 180 where the stakes are higher and first place is now $1016. Get hot and make a few top 3 finishes and you can take a shot at the Sunday Millions for a $530 entry. This week first place was $240,000 dollars! Can you say, “World Poker Tour? “World Series of Poker?”

My point is that building a large bankroll is an attainable goal and within your reach with good planning and exceptional play.

So, take a peek at your poker tournament tendencies, in terms of how large a tourney you play, and you may find that you are doing yourself and your BANKROLL a disservice by playing in too many large tournaments. Just something to think about.

Deuces,

CIII

“…the only game I know is DO or DIE!”