Learn practical bankroll management strategies for pokies. Discover how to set budgets, divide sessions, choose smart bet sizes, track spending, and stay disciplined for fun, sustainable play.

Pokies gaming should be fun, and proper bankroll management ensures that it remains so. Budgeting your gambling spending is a great way to avoid unwanted money strain and enjoy longer gaming sessions. We've compiled here some tips that will help you enjoy more control and discipline while gambling with money.

Set a Budget

Budgeting is essential. If you have no budget limit, it's incredibly easy to spend more than you should, especially if you tend to be hot-headed and trying to pursue a win.

Note down how much you can afford to spend on pokies per time frame, e.g., per day, week, or month.
Put this money outside of your savings and family budget so that you're only risking "fun money."
An easy guideline to follow is: gamble only what you can afford to lose.

For example, if you've set a weekly budget of $100, as soon as you reach that, stop playing until the next session. Think of your bankroll as a predetermined budget for fun so you're not spending money intended for bills. If you find yourself tempted to chase losses, keep in mind that your limit is non-negotiable.

Divide Your Bankroll and Sessions

Split your entire budget into smaller amounts for each play session. Spreading your bankroll per session reduces risk; thus, you don't lose your entire budget in a single session. For example, if you have $300 for the week, you might play $50 per day instead of one large session.

It's also advisable to set a time limit per session, say 30–60 minutes, to avoid fatigue and irrational bets.

Split your bankroll into session budgets so that a bad session will not wipe out all your cash.
Quit when you've used up your day's budget or after a set time.
Take breaks between sessions. Taking a break refreshes your mind, and when losing or frustrated, breaking allows you to return later with a fresh mind.

Choose Reasonable Bet Sizes

Your bet amount in each spin should be proportional to your bankroll. Betting high on every spin will likely exhaust your money, particularly on high-volatility pokies.

As a general guideline, many experts suggest limiting any single bet to 1–3% of your bankroll. If your bankroll is $100, for example, you would be wagering between $1 and $3 per spin. This "flat-percentage" method allows you to ride out losing streaks while enjoying optimal playtime.

Wager low-denomination or low-variance pokies with low minimum bets.
Stick with your bet size plan and do not change your bet size when you lose. The self-control of sticking to your original bet size, even while losing, keeps your funds in check.
Limit each spin to a small percentage of your bankroll so that even a losing streak will not wipe you out.

Track Your Spending

Keeping simple records of your pokies play can help you stay on track. Write down, or use a note on your phone, each time you deposit money, along with major wins and losses. You don’t need a complex spreadsheet; even a few lines like “Deposited $50, lost $30, won $20” per session is enough.

Keep track of bets, wins, and losses, to see if you're keeping to your budget or getting out of hand.
Check your totals from time to time. If you discover that you're spending more than you should be, it's time to tighten your budget or cut short future sessions.
Use tracking to stay honest with yourself. Writing things down prevents you from forgetting how much you've spent, so you can stop while you're ahead.
Consider having independent payment accounts, such as e-wallets, to manage your deposits and monitor expenditures more easily. Having your gaming funds in a sequestered account enables you to see clearly how much you're spending.

Stay Disciplined

Above all, keeping emotions out of the game is key to sustainable play. Never chase losses, don’t try to win back money by making bigger bets. Chasing almost always leads to even bigger losses. Instead, stick to your plan: if you hit your session loss limit, walk away.

Consider setting a modest win goal as well. For example, if you double your session budget, you might decide to take the winnings and stop. Deciding in advance on win and loss limits helps you lock in fun outcomes without emptying your pocket.

Avoid the “magic bullet” fallacy. Each spin is random, and one bet does not influence the next. Increasing bets out of desperation only risks more money.
Take breaks when needed, whether you are on a losing streak or even a winning streak; stepping away prevents tired or overconfident decisions.
Remember that pokies are for entertainment. Play games you enjoy, and when your set budget or session time is up, cash out and do something else enjoyable.