Protect and grow your poker bankroll with this guide to plo bankroll management. Practical rules and calculations.
Bankroll Management for Various
PLO has significantly higher variance than NLH. The standard deviation in PLO is approximately 100-140 bb/100 compared to 60-80 bb/100 in NLH. This means larger swings, longer downswings, and a greater need for bankroll cushion.
For PLO cash games, maintain at least 35-40 buy-ins, compared to 20-30 for NLH. At NL50 PLO, that means $1,750-2,000. At NL100 PLO, maintain $3,500-4,000. These higher requirements reflect the mathematical reality of PLO variance.
PLO generates more rake than NLH at equivalent stakes because pot sizes are larger (pot-limit betting plus closer equities lead to bigger pots). This means your PLO rakeback income is higher, which partially offsets the additional bankroll requirement.
Rakeback and Bankroll Growth
Rakeback accelerates bankroll growth by adding guaranteed income on top of your table winnings. At Various, the difference between 27% and 50% rakeback can mean hundreds or thousands of dollars per month in additional income that goes directly to building your bankroll.
Key Rules
- Never play with scared money. If losing a buy-in causes anxiety, drop down immediately.
- Track your bankroll daily. Know exactly where you stand at all times.
- Have clear move-up and move-down criteria. Set specific bankroll thresholds for changing stakes.
- Factor in rakeback. Include expected rakeback income when calculating your effective bankroll growth rate.
- Keep poker and personal finances separate. Maintain a dedicated poker bankroll that is completely independent of your living expenses.