The 30 Bet Rule

Few players can even begin to describe to you what the 30 bet rule entails. In this guide, we will explore this fundamental poker strategy, which is overlooked by too many players.

Loss Potential

Before you join any cash game be it Texas Holdem, Omaha or any other variant of the game, you need to know your loss potential. Never ‘auto top-up’ as this completely goes against this rule, and is something that should be avoided altogether. The rule states that you need to leave the table if you lose more than 30 big blinds. For example, if you are playing a Texas Holdem $1/2 game then you need to leave if you have lost $60. This rule should be followed to ensure you never lose more than you can afford. You also need to make sure you are playing in your bankroll, and you have taken the right amount to the table (usually the maximum).

Let It Go

The best players in the world have to write off a session due to bad luck or under performance. It is not good to sit at the same table and feel like it owes you something or a ‘big win’ is around the corner. If you lose 30 big blinds just walk away, and make sure you do not jump into another game, just because you are owed something.

Never Tilt

Sometimes the best of players go on a bit of a tilt, even if they do not realise that they are. If you have lost 30 big blinds, then the chances are you have got unlucky more than once (if you are playing correctly), and this can lead you to alter your play, even if it is just slightly, and this can be defined as tilting.

Ensuring you stick to the 30 bet rule allows you to cap what has been a poor session. Not having anything in place makes it hard to figure out how much you have lost, especially if you are multi-tabling. If you find that you have been losing out more often than not, make sure you check to see that playing cash games is right for your style of play.