Moving Back up to 25nl

Moving Up When Your Bankroll Is on the Edge

You've beaten the lower stakes. You have 20 buy-ins for the next level. You're ready to take a shot.

But with a limited bankroll, you can't afford high-variance plays or big swings. You need a conservative, disciplined approach.

This 5-hour course documents a successful shot at 25NL with exactly 20 buy-ins, using a low-variance strategy designed to minimize risk while building your bankroll.

The Backstory

This course was recorded in June 2016 on Bovada (before it shut down its poker room and Ignition Casino opened). The content was somehow forgotten on a network drive and finally released to members in 2018. Despite the unusual timeline, the strategic approach and lessons remain highly relevant for anyone moving up with a limited bankroll.

The Challenge: Moving Up with 20 Buy-Ins

Most advice says to have 30-50 buy-ins before moving up. But sometimes you want to take a shot earlier, and you need to do it smartly. This course shows you how.

The Conservative Approach

The Plan:

• Starting bankroll: 20 buy-ins for 25NL
• 4 buy-in stop loss (drop to 16 buy-ins = move back down to 10NL)
• 2 buy-in session stop loss (quit session after losing 2 buy-ins)
• Conservative, low-variance strategy (tight, aggressive, straightforward)
• 2-4 tables depending on game quality and feel

What Conservative Means:

No wide 3-bet bluffing, no aggressive squeezing, no thin isolation raises, minimal double barrel bluffs. Focus on solid fundamentals and value betting until building a bigger cushion (35-40 buy-ins), then open up the game.

The Results

Over the next two months (June-August 2016), before Bovada shut down its poker room, 12,500+ hands were logged at 25NL with these results:

• Win rate: 13.22bb/100
• Total profit: $414
• Successful shot completed

What's Covered

This course includes a combination of:

• Strategy discussions on conservative bankroll building
• Live play & explain videos
• Hand history reviews
• Bankroll management for limited rolls
• When to stick it out vs. when to move back down

The Discipline Required

The hardest part isn't the poker strategy - it's the discipline. Sticking to stop losses, moving back down if needed, playing conservatively when you want to play aggressively, and not tilting after bad sessions. This course shows you how to maintain that discipline.

Course Note

This course was recorded in 2016 on Bovada and ends when Bovada shut down its poker room in August 2016. While it's shorter than originally planned, it captures the complete shot-taking process and provides valuable insights into moving up with a limited bankroll.

Who This Course Is For

• Players with 20-25 Buy-Ins Ready to Take a Shot
• Anyone Moving from 10NL to 25NL (or Similar Jump)
• Players Who Need a Conservative Approach Due to Bankroll Constraints
• Students Learning Proper Stop Loss and Bankroll Discipline
• Players on Ignition Casino or Similar Sites

What You Need

• Proven Ability to Beat Lower Stakes
• 20+ Buy-Ins for the Stake You're Shooting At
• Discipline to Follow Stop Losses and Move Back Down if Needed
• Willingness to Play Conservatively During the Shot

What You'll Get from This Course

• Complete Framework for Taking Shots with Limited Bankroll
• Conservative Strategy to Minimize Variance
• Proper Stop Loss Implementation
• Understanding of When to Continue vs. Move Back Down
• Real Example of a Successful Shot at 25NL