Is it better to buy in for max in cash or min buy in?

Question

Lee Jones · Accepted Answer

It depends on what you're trying to accomplish, and your comfort at the table.

If you're new to the stakes you're playing, or are in an unfamiliar situation (e.g. a new poker room) it's totally fine to buy in less than the maximum. That way you can get a read on the other players at the table, get yourself settled in, and keep the pressure coefficient low for a little while.

That said, I wouldn't suggest buying in for the absolute minimum in most games. That will be sufficiently short that correct strategy will be restricted, perhaps down to shove-or-fold. Of course, such a strategy can be highly effective, but you have to know how to play such a stack.

But if you choose to buy in for 70-80 BBs rather than full stack (100-300 BBs, depending on the room) you can still play plenty of poker.

If you're sitting down in a game in which you're comfortable, and know that you have an edge on the opposition, definitely go for the max buy-in – that's how you get the biggest edge.

Just remember: you can always add to your stack, but you can't take chips off of it.

Guest user · Answer

I always buy in for the max!!! It gives me opportunity to win more money!!!!

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