How to Start and Plan a Poker Bankroll Challenge
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A bankroll challenge is one of poker’s most popular self-imposed tests. Whether it’s turning a small deposit into four figures or grinding from freerolls to mid-stakes, the format has become a staple of streams and YouTube series.
But is it right for everyone? 888poker ambassador Nick Eastwood recently shared his thoughts on what players should consider before launching their own challenge, drawing on his own experience of building a roll in front of an audience.
Is a Bankroll Challenge Right For You?
Before you even think about stakes or targets, Eastwood says you need to ask yourself one simple question: Why are you doing it?
A bankroll challenge takes time and effort. It can distract from your regular games, and your win rate may suffer compared to playing your usual stakes. If you’re already comfortably beating your current level, stepping down for a challenge might not be the most profitable use of your hours.
For Eastwood, the challenge made sense because it was content-driven and entertainment-focused. But if you’re not creating content, you need a clear personal reason.
- Are you testing yourself mentally?
- Do you want to prove you can beat a stake before moving up permanently?
- Are you looking to build discipline or structure?
If you don’t have a strong answer, it may simply be better to stick to your regular grind.
Set Yourself a Clear Target
Once you commit, the next step is defining what success looks like. Eastwood stresses the importance of setting a target before you begin. That could mean:
- A profit goal
- A win-rate challenge over a fixed sample
- A set number of hands
- A time-bound objective
He chose a profit target, which he believes is tougher because there’s no guaranteed end date. If you decide to play 100,000 hands, you know roughly how long that will take. But if you’re chasing a specific dollar amount, variance can stretch the journey much longer than expected.
If you want a clear finish line from the outset, a hands-based or time-based challenge may suit you better. If you want to make it harder on yourself, a profit target raises the stakes mentally.
Pick the Right Stakes
Where you start depends entirely on where you currently play.
If you’re a regular at $25NL, you could:
- Stay at that level and increase your volume
- Drop down to reinforce fundamentals
- Start even lower to test yourself from scratch
Some players begin with just a few dollars. Others start with nothing and build from freerolls. The beauty of a bankroll challenge is that it’s personal. You can design it to suit your motivations and strengths.
If your goal is to show you can climb from the very bottom, start low. If you’re aiming to refine discipline at your current stake, stay put and set performance-based goals.
The key is choosing a format you’ll actually enjoy. If it feels like a chore, you’re unlikely to finish it.
Choose How Often to Play
Volume is important, but so is focus.
Eastwood admits he struggles to maintain peak performance beyond two to three hours, particularly while streaming. After that, the finer details of his game begin to slip.
That’s a crucial point. In a bankroll challenge, you can become emotionally attached to your graph. Watching it dip because you’re tired or unfocused can be frustrating and avoidable.
His advice is simple: be strict with yourself. If you’re not playing your A-game, don’t play. Pay attention to your energy levels. Take breaks. Structure your sessions around the times you feel sharpest. Consistency matters more than marathon sessions.
Decide When to Move Up Stakes
If your challenge is progressing well, you’ll eventually face the question of moving up.
Ideally, you set clear criteria before you begin. But if you didn’t, Eastwood says it’s reasonable to take calculated shots, especially if you’re already comfortable at higher stakes.
Moving up can keep the challenge interesting. If you feel stuck grinding the same level for months, motivation can fade. Strategic shot-taking can reintroduce excitement and momentum.
At the same time, discipline is vital. Moving up too quickly without the bankroll or skill edge to support it can undo months of progress.
Eastwood says completing his challenge ranks among his proudest achievements, even ahead of some of his biggest tournament cashes. The length and difficulty of the journey made the result more satisfying.
