It's no secret that the vast majority of online poker lovers play the game for the money. Although some poker players insist that its the challenge that keeps them coming back time after time and again, hard cold cash indeed plays an important role in a player's decision whether or not to play poker. However, winning requires players to invest considerable effort in proper bankroll management, among other things.

Smart bankroll management is considered among the most basic skills in professional as well as amateur poker play. Players who disregard this notion are in for a great disappointment. This is because most winning poker strategies are based on different bankroll considerations. Indeed, most frequently it's the bankroll management that determines the outcome of the game. So, what kind of a bankroll should an aspiring poker winner have?

Here goes a list of some basic considerations:

A. A player's personal abilities. The goal of winning poker games can be achieved through many different methods. Two different players can win the same amount of money in a five-year period of time. However, one of them could do it within a year while the other could take the whole five years. It all depends on their style of play. This means that despite the identical outcome, because their playing styles are so different, they'd be needing bankrolls of different sizes.

B. A player's personal life circumstances. Taking into consideration a player's personal life circumstances is a must as well. For instance, a player who is not employed at the moment can not afford to have a large bankroll. And, if he happens to be employed, how big of a bankroll can he afford to have. Are there any other expenses he must cover first? How quickly can he re-establish his bankroll after losing some of it? These considerations are of utmost importance because, if a player can not re-establish his bankroll, he must move down in limits after losing some percentage of his initial bankroll.

If a player happens to be out of a job, but insists on playing on a professional level, he must have a bankroll as well as other valuable assets put aside for living expense. An unemployed player should have approximately twice the bankroll of an employed one.

C. The nature of the poker game and its location. The game's nature is often influenced by its location. For instance, assuming that a $10/20 Texas Hold 'em game staged in Atlantic City is the same as the one taking place in Los Angeles is somewhat naive. The calculations are different because the circumstances as well as the game participants are completely different. Thus, different bankrolls are required because of this difference.

Remember, bankroll size is a matter that must be approached sensibly. Think things through before you start playing. Good Luck!