Question 3: If I am on a winning spree, earning one big bet per hour in hold'em, common sense says that I should have around 300 big bets for a comfortable bankroll. If I play heads-up, what should be my big bet bankroll? Also, what do you consider a reasonable hourly rate?
A: The answer to this question is a bit complicated as it completely depends on how good you are at the heads-up play. Usually, you will need a larger bankroll for betting rounds in the heads-up game due to its swingy nature. Generally, a 10-20 heads-up poker game requires more betting limits as compared to a 10-20-ring game of poker. And, in order to withstand the swings, it becomes mandatory for you to have, at least, twice the bankroll. If you are a decent heads-up player, then you can expect to make, at least, two big bets per hour and earn an extra lot for the extra amount you gamble.
However, if you are an excellent heads-up player, you need a smaller bankroll than what you would need to play a ring game. This is because of the nature of heads-up play - you get to make many decisions during each hour of play, so that your edge is much greater if you are truly skilled at this type of play. As an excellent heads up player, you are rarely going to have a losing hour because of all the opportunities you have to make good decisions and all the opportunities your opponent has to make bad ones. But there are only a few truly great heads-up players, I mean, people capable of earning more than four big bets per hour. So, I will advice you to stick to two bets per hour and try to double your bankroll, as the swings will be bigger.
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