Bankroll & money

Risk of Ruin 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

Risk of Ruin — The chance of losing an entire bankroll before variance turns.

In more detail

It falls as the bankroll grows and as the win rate rises, and it never reaches zero for a finite bankroll. The practical use is comparative: it is what makes forty buy-ins reckless and two hundred comfortable at the same win rate.

Common questions

What does Risk of Ruin mean in poker?

It falls as the bankroll grows and as the win rate rises, and it never reaches zero for a finite bankroll. The practical use is comparative: it is what makes forty buy-ins reckless and two hundred comfortable at the same win rate.

Related terms

Bankroll
The money set aside for poker, separate from living expenses.
Buy-In
The amount required to enter a game or tournament.
Rake
The percentage of each pot taken by the poker room.
Rakeback
A percentage of paid rake returned to the player.

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