Daniel Negreanu on Poker: The Buy-In: What’s the Right Amount?

Whether it’s a Friday night game with your buddies, a weekend trip to Vegas to play in a casino, or a daily cardroom game where you’re trying to make a living, the amount of your buy-in can have a significant long-term impact on your results.

When playing in a No Limit cash game, the appropriate buy-in amount will actually differ from person to person. You need to consider several factors.

Are you an experienced player or a beginner?

Be honest with yourself. This can be difficult, especially if you let your ego get in the way. Unless you have at least one thousand hours of play under your belt in any particular game, lean toward buying in for the minimum amount. In a typical $5-$10 blind No Limit game, the minimum buy-in would be $200. That’s just where a beginner should start.

How do you handle pressure?

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