If you want to get any time out of your gambling money you have to play the games at the proper level for your bankroll. When playing poker, the rules are quite specific.

If you want to try your luck at a limit poker table at a recreational level, I suggest that you sit down with at least 20 times the big blind and you should be good for a few rounds around the table. If you want to maintain a bankroll over time, you should have at least 200 times the big blind of the game you are in.

Most no-limit ring games have a limit to the buy-in amount. Try and keep your amounts to less than 25% of your bankroll. That way one tough table won’t break you. Tournament buy-ins should be even less than this percentage, more like 5% or less.