Get Rackback!
? New to Rakeback?
Learn all about it.

Knowing When it’s the Right Time to Move up in Limits

by admin on June 22, 2009

in Making a Living Playing Poker, Rakeback Articles

One of the biggest mistakes that many players make when they first set out to make a living playing poker is that they move up in limits way to soon. Playing in lower limit games can get boring, especially online when you see how much potential is at the higher limit tables. With just the click of the mouse you can be sitting at higher limits. The problem is that higher limits means higher risks. If you are not ready for those higher limits, then you could end up losing everything you worked for. Your whole bankroll could dwindle in the matter of just a few bad sessions. So how exactly do you know when it is right to move up to higher limits?

Bankroll Management

One of the most important parts of poker is proper bankroll management. The number one thing that you need to do before moving up to higher limits, is insure that you have the proper bankroll to do so. If your bankroll is not big enough to play in the higher limit games, then it should be out of the question. For example, if you normally play $1-$2 No Limit Holdem cash games online and you want to move up to $2-$4, then you better have a significantly large bankroll. You should have at least 40 max buy ins of that game before moving up. Since the max buy in is $400.00, you should have a bankroll of $16,000.00.

Just because you have been doing well at the $1 $2 and you are up to a few thousand dollars, does not mean that you are ready for higher limits. If you take this game seriously and you take your bankroll seriously, then you will not even think about moving up in limits until your bankroll is ready. That is first and foremost.

Skill Level

If your bankroll checks out and you are ready in that department, then the next thing you have to test is your skill level. For the most part, a higher limit game is going to be completely different than the lower limit game you are previously playing in. You have to be sure that your skill level is ready for the higher limits. How do you tell? Well, there is nothing more you can do except to simply test it out.

Each time you move up limits, you should give yourself about 1-3 months (sometimes more) for a trial period. You should always be tracking everything very carefully and that is even more important during these times. During the trial period, you really must monitor your play and make sure you are winning money at a good rate. If you are losing money, then move back down to lower limits. If you are doing well, then keep going.

Each time you face the decision to move up to higher table limits, you must understand that you are making a move to play in a completely different game. The competition is not always better, but it is always going to be quite different. As long as you have the bankroll and the skill, then there is no reason to not move up to higher limits. After all, that is the only way you are going to make more money playing poker.

Related posts:

  1. Taking Shots In order to get a raise when you play poker...
  2. Increasing Rakeback Profits – Multi-Table Or Move Up Levels? At some point in their poker careers, most players face...
  3. Bankroll Management One of the absolute most important things about playing poker...
  4. Rakeback Strategy Tips: Bankroll Management Many players struggle with playing above their bankroll and never...
  5. Rakeback Strategy Tips: Low Stakes Omaha Strategy To be able to become an established player at the...


SiteRackbackSign Up BonusUS
Absolute Poker 30% 150% up to $500 The poker room accepts US players
Ultimate Bet 30% 111% up to $1100 The poker room accepts US players
Cake Poker 33% 110% up to $600 The poker room accepts US players
PKR Poker 30% 100% up to $800
Paradise Poker 30% 200% up to €1,000
Players Only 33% 100% up to $650 The poker room accepts US players
Fortune Poker 30% 200% up to €1,000
Betfair 30% $1500
Aced 30% 100% up to $500 The poker room accepts US players
Virgin Poker 30% 100% up to £300
Poker Heaven 30% 200% up to €1000
Poker Nordica 30% 100% up to $200 The poker room accepts US players
Carbon Poker 30% 150% up to $1000 The poker room accepts US players
Red Star Poker 33% 110% up to $600
True Poker 27% 100% up to $200 The poker room accepts US players
Action Poker 35% 100% up to $2500
Cellsino Poker 40% 500% up to $500
Minted Poker 40% 100% up to $400
Power Poker 33% 110% up to $600
Interpoker 30% 200% up to €1000
Doyles Room 33% 110% up to $600
Gutshot Poker 33% 110% up to $600
Full Tilt Poker 27% 100% up to $600 The poker room accepts US players
Fat Bet Poker 40% 1000% up to €500
NoiQ Poker 30% 100% up to €5000

Rakeback Report Promotions

We are pleased to offer all of the following promotions this month at Rakeback Report. Simply sign up for a valid rakeback account at a participating poker room and you will automatically be enrolled.

Site Rake Race Rake Chase Freeroll
Doyle's Room $30,000    
Cereus Poker Network* $8,000 $10,000 $10,000**
Cake Poker $6,000 $10,000 $10,000**
Party Poker***   $23,000  
Red Star   $23,000  
Eurobet***   $21,000  
Players Only   $16,000  
Tower Gaming***   $15,000  
Full Tilt Poker   $10,000  
Carbon Poker   $10,000  
Betfair Poker   $5,000  
Boss Media Network**** $5,000    
Cellsino Poker   $5,000  
Power Poker   $5,000  
Poker Nordica   $5,000  
NoIQ €500    

* Includes Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet.
** Reflects the maximum amount of this promotion, prizes may vary based upon participation.
*** May not be available to all users. Contact Us to request this offer or for more information.
****Includes Poker Heaven, Fortune Poker InterPoker and Paradise Poker.

Previous post: What Changes to My Game do I Need to Make to Play 6-Max?

Next post: Figuring Out How Much you Need to Make a Living Playing Poker