Moving up in stakes should be a data-driven decision, not a gut feeling. Move too soon and you go broke. Move too late and you leave money on the table. Here's how to get the timing right.
3 Conditions to Check Before Moving Up
All three conditions must be met before stepping up to a higher stake.
**1. Bankroll requirement**
Have at least 20 buy-ins (conservatively 30) for the next stake ready.
- NL25 → NL50: $1,000+ (20 buy-ins)
- NL50 → NL100: $2,000+ (20 buy-ins)
- NL100 → NL200: $4,000+ (20 buy-ins)
**2. Adequate sample size**
Minimum 10,000 hands, ideally 20,000–50,000+. Too small a sample makes it impossible to tell skill from luck.
**3. Win rate threshold**
Maintain a win rate of 5+ BB/100. At NL50, 5 BB/100 equals $2.50 profit per 100 hands — $25 per 1,000 hands.
The Adjustment Period After Moving Up
The first 5,000–10,000 hands at a new stake are an adjustment period. Focus on these.
- Mapping the new player pool (tighter, more 3-bets, more balanced ranges)
- Not overreacting to results
- Reviewing more hands than you did at the lower stake
Win rates naturally drop when you first move up. That's expected — you're learning a harder game.
Moving Down: When to Step Back
Stepping down is not failure. It's the most important bankroll protection you have.
**Step-down criteria**
If your bankroll falls below 15 buy-ins at your current stake, drop one level immediately.
- NL100, bankroll < $1,500 → move to NL50
- NL50, bankroll < $750 → move to NL25
**Downswing vs. real leak**
Losing 20–30 buy-ins is statistically normal. But if you're still losing after stepping down, there's a real problem in your game. Use session records and hand reviews to find it.
What Changes as You Move Up
Understanding how each stake level differs speeds up adjustment.
**Micro stakes (NL2–NL25)**
- Lots of recreational players, low bluff frequency
- Value betting is the primary strategy
- Many multiway pots
**Small stakes (NL50–NL200)**
- More regulars with solid fundamentals
- Higher 3-bet and 4-bet frequency
- Positional advantage and range equity matter more
**Mid stakes (NL500+)**
- Solver-based GTO play is the norm
- Rake has a major impact on win rate
- Mental game becomes critical
How Tracking Changes Your Step-Up Decision
"I feel like I'm running well lately" is not a bankroll management strategy. You need recorded data.
Log sessions in My Bankroll and you get:
- Automatic BB/100 win rate calculation per stake
- Visual comparison of current vs. required bankroll
- AI coach analysis of whether you're ready to move up
Check Your Step-Up Readiness
Log your sessions and let the AI coach tell you instantly whether you're ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
My win rate looks great but I have a small sample — can I move up?
No. A 10 BB/100 over 3,000 hands is likely variance. You need at least 10,000 hands, preferably 20,000+, before trusting a win rate.
Are the criteria different for live vs. online poker?
Live poker accumulates hands far more slowly. Focus more on bankroll (buy-in count) than win rate, and consider measuring profit per hour rather than BB/100.
What if I hit a downswing immediately after moving up?
Execute your pre-planned step-down rule. Don't fight it emotionally. Rebuild at the lower stake and move up again when conditions are met.
Can I play two stakes at the same time?
Yes. A common approach: open 3 tables at NL25 and 1 at NL50 to practice the new stake. Track the bankroll for each stake separately.