Buying Into a Poker Game
Buying Into a Poker Game
So, now we’ve covered the rules of the game, the different variations of Texas Hold’Em, and the importance of bankroll management, it’s time to start thinking about joining a game of poker. Now, there is actually more to this than meets the eye, and there are a few mistakes many beginners make when joining a game in the online world.
This article refers to cash games only, as there are few options in tournament poker, where you just pay the entry fee and start playing.
What Game Should You Buy Into?
This is something that depends on your preferences and the size of your bankroll. The strategy we outline in this set of articles is focussed on No Limit Texas Hold’Em, so that is what we recommend. As you will remember from our article on bankroll management, the size of your bankroll determines the blind limits you should play.
| Game Type | Minimum Buyins Required | Recommended Buyins Required |
| Full Ring Cash Game | 20 | 30 |
| Short Handed Cash Game | 30 | 40 |
| Heads Up Cash Game | 40 | 60 |
| Fixed Limit Cash Game | 300 Big Bets | 400 Big Bets |
| 9 Player Sit and Go | 30 | 50 |
| Multi-Table Tournament (maximum of 500 entrants) | 80 | 120 |
| Multi-Table Tournament (over 500 entrants) | 120 | 250 |
How Much Should You Buy In For?
When you elect to buy in to a cash game, you will be prompted with the option to select the amount of money you want to take to the table. The maximum table limit is usually equal to 100 big blinds. This is the amount you should buy in for every time, as it gives you the most playability and is best suited to the strategy we will employ.
As a side note, if your poker offers you the option to automatically rebuy to the maximum amount, do it, as this will stop you getting distracted and ending up with an oddly sized chip stack.
What Else Should You Think About?
There isn’t much else you need to think about. After all, online poker sites don’t want to scare away all their punters by making it harder to join a game of poker than launch a space shuttle do they?
There are a few things you will want to remember though. When you are prompted to pay a big blind to join the game straight away, don’t do it, take the option to wait for the big blind to work its way around to you. This is because, in the long run, by paying those extra blinds you will put a dent in your winrate. You will also want to check the option to auto-post the blinds when they reach you, just to make sure you don’t forget and get left out of the hand.
Summary
- Always buy into a game suitable for your bankroll
- In No Limit Hold’Em cash games, always buy in for 100 big blinds, and remember to top up your chip stack if you lose some
- When joining the game, wait for the big blind to work its way to you rather than instantly posting the blinds
