When is it time to move up?

[Reel Deal]

Want to get everyone's thoughts on this subject... when do you know it's time to move up?

I made my first deposit this past May (only $200), ran that up to a little over $300 and cashed that out in early July when I decided I was going to take a break from on-line poker for a bit. Left $25 at Noble and when I decided my break was over (mid-August) I didn't make another deposit, I just decided I'd take the $25 and see what I could do with it. Well, less than two months later and I've run that $25 up to over $500. When I first played on-line I was playing the $25NL full tables and Party and Pokerroom and having decent success. But for the last month or so I've been playing 6-max $50NL at various sites while bonus chasing and have done well enough to run that $25 up to $500. I've also won at least 5 sit & go MTTs (ie, the 30 player & 45 player tourneys) at Stars, Party and UB.

I guess the issue I've got is that while I'm doing well at the $50NL cash tables, I really don't have the bankroll to move up to the $100NL cash tables (i.e., bringing 1/5 of my roll to the table). However, the other issue I have is that I'm not really playing for the money (I have a great job that pays well), I'm playing because I enjoy the game, enjoy the cerebral challenge of getting better at the game and am a competitive person.

So, given that it's not all about the money for me and that I want to get better and face better competition, what are people's thoughts here?

[Aequitas58]

Well, normally, I would say that if the money doesn't matter, then you should feel free to play limits that you're comfortable playing, and just enjoy the challenge. If you lose, it's not a big deal (financially), so naturally, adhering to a strict bankroll guideline isn't *too* important...

But...

I'm guessing that part of the "poker challenge" for you is to not only playing the game and making "right" decisions, but also the added challenge of building a bankroll. Not for financial reasons, but more along the lines of conquering a goal. IF THIS IS TRUE, then you should try to stick w/in a smart bankroll requirement structure.

[johnp158]

I would guess that, even if you're not playing for the money, it would really suck to bust out because of playing out of your bankroll. Because if that happened, you would have to start out lower again, at limits that you now find unexciting.

[Talking Poker]

Well, is that true? That's the big question here.

If you bust out, would you be comfortable reloading for $500 or $1000? If so, I think it's fine for you to move up - or at least give it a shot and come back down if you have one or two bad sessions off the bat.

If, however, you never want to move another dime from your bank to your bankroll, then you should stick to strict bankroll management guidelines, despite your success and the itch to move up.

So, like we always say in poker: It depends.

[Reel Deal]

Thanks for the advice guys, appreciate it.

I decided to move up to the $100NL at one site (bet365)... they have a monthly promo going on where you can get a $10 bonus for every 50 raked hands (minimum level is the $100NL table), up to $100. Played the 6-max tables last night for a little over an hour and did well (up $65) and wasn't uncomfortable at any time. I'll try these tables for the rest of the month and see how it goes and whether this will be a permanent move.

Thanks again.