Well its a new year and its time to roll in some new years resolutions. This year’s resolution for me is to build up my poker bankroll to the point that I can make the leap from casual player to rounder. Now how do I intend on doing this? Good question. Hopefully some of these tips will be able to work for you as well.

1. I quit smoking and chewing. Yes, I know this goes against the last post I wrote about how to get by all those anti’s who don’t want you smoking in the card room, putting you on an unfair tilt but I quit for other reasons, financial reasons. I spend roughly $50 a week on both products combined, not including the other added expenses the trip to the liquor store brings in (food, energy drinks, lighters, etc) so by quitting I’m saving myself roughly $200 a month. That $200 now goes directly into my poker bankroll giving myself an extra $2400 a year.

2. I lowered the cost of my cell phone bill. I was paying about $125 a month on a cheap month, more if I forgot that text messaging cost extra. Now its down to $50. That’s an extra $75 a month in my pocket or $900 a year. Again this goes directly into my poker bankroll.

Those two expenses alone have put over $3,300 back into my pocket in one year. Still working the same job, living in the same place, so expenses are all roughly the same. In other words, I can now head over to my local brick and mortar card room knowing that I can play in a game or tournament without having to worry about how It’ll affect my financial situation for the rest of the week.

I know many people live on shoe string budgets, living from paycheck to paycheck. Others are only a few months ahead. Setting aside cash to start bankrolling yourself in poker can be rough, or you find yourself stuck nickle and diming it for hours trying to climb up the poker food chain. Look at your expenses long and hard and try to find some areas you can cut out. Do you really need HBO and Shotime for an extra $30 a month? That’d be $360 savings per year right there towards your bankroll.

Do you need the name brand products? Safeway (Vons) is now running its own chip line for about a dollar less per bag. Depending on how many bags of chips you buy per year that could add up to some serious dough. Realistically you need to look at what you’re spending your cash on and determine if you can cut some corners here or there to start saving towards your bankroll. The more money you can save, the more you can throw into your future as a semi-pro or professional poker player.

Or you can always just start making more money. That’s your other option.

Happy new year and I look forward to seeing you all at the final table in the near future.