Whether you are a casual player or professional poker player, winning is fun. For the casual player it is not uncommon to start out playing freerolls to win money or depositing a small amount. After you have built up a respectable bankroll it is logical to want to move up in stakes as well. After you feel like you have consistently won at one level challenging yourself and improving your game may lead you to move up in stakes. If you choose to move up and take a shot make sure you respect your profit.

This is a simple concept that some players do not really consider. They may see an increased bankroll as something to put on the line all the time. It is easy to think that if you can win at one level you can win at any level. Continuously risking your bankroll is not only bad bankroll management but it shows disrespect for the work and effort you have put into winning. I consider respecting your profit to be a part of bankroll management. Nothing is more painful than winning consistently then stepping up and being felted. You start to question yourself, your decisions, and get frustrated by the losses. The hours and play you put into winning a poker tournament are hours you cannot get back in life. Hopefully as you go along you not only learn successful bankroll management but learn to respect your winnings.

Before you move up in stakes you seriously consider how you want to respect your winnings. For some people this may mean that they withdraw a portion to ensure that some of their profit comes back. Another good way to play with an increased bankroll is to set aside a certain portion to play at higher stakes. If you are able to win that is great but if you lose then simply move back down to the level you consistently win at. Improving your own game by reviewing hand histories and learning more about poker strategy is a good way to respect your winnings as well. By continuing to improve at poker hopefully you can keep your profits on an upswing.

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