Build Your Poker Bankroll

For a newcomer to online poker, this often is the number one question asked. First, for ANY online poker player I highly recommend building your poker bankroll with deposit bonuses. This serves two purposes. For one, it is FREE MONEY! I can't remember the last time someone I know turned down free money. Secondly it helps to minimize swings in your poker bankroll because as I pointed out previously you will not win every session you play.

If you have the finances then I would recommend depositing the maximum amount you can afford to max out the bonus. If you don't have the funds for this that is okay; just deposit what you can to get some kind of bonus. Often times many sites offer 25% up to $100, sometimes even 100% up to $200 for first time depositors! Now that's one way to build your poker bankroll rapidly using other people's money.

Bonuses are most of the time paid out in one of two ways. The first method is to pay out the bonus in $10 increments, usually after playing 100 raked hands. The second method is to pay out in one lump sum after completing some number of raked hands, usually ranging from 10 times to 20 times the amount of bonus. The definition of a raked hand will vary from site to site so make certain you read the terms of the bonus offer.

Now if you employ a sound poker strategy such as found on you will find playing for a poker bonus will help to build your poker bankroll, especially if you are a break even poker player. A losing session or two will not hurt your initial bankroll and winning sessions combined with a poker deposit bonus will build that bankroll rapidly!

Since starting with online poker I have only made 2 real deposits out of my pocket. My first $50 I lost because I didn't have a clue and played way above my bankroll and skill level. My next deposit was my last that came out of my wallet. All others since then have been from cashing out poker winnings and re-depositing that same money for a reload bonus.