Bankroll & money

Buy-In in Poker — Bankroll Strategy Explained

Here's a clear definition with real-hand context, plus how it connects to the rest of your strategy.

Quick answer

Buy-In — The amount required to enter a game or tournament.

In more detail

Cash buy-ins are typically 100bb. Tournament buy-ins include the rake/fee (e.g. $5 + $0.50).

Common questions

What does Buy-In mean in poker?

Cash buy-ins are typically 100bb. Tournament buy-ins include the rake/fee (e.g. $5 + $0.50).

Related terms

Bankroll
The money set aside for poker, separate from living expenses.
Rake
The percentage of each pot taken by the poker room.
Rakeback
A percentage of paid rake returned to the player.
ROI
Tournament profit as a percentage of total buy-ins.

New to poker? Start with our preflop strategy guide and the free TAG cheatsheet.