Bankroll & money

Buy-In in Poker: Bankroll Strategy Explained

The definition, with context from real hands and 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.
Risk of Ruin
The chance of losing an entire bankroll before variance turns.

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