When a gambler enters an online poker room, and finds they are ready to bet for real money, the very first decision they are going to have to make is what size stakes table they should join.  In other words, they need to determine how much money they want to gamble and risk.  The answer in helping form that conclusion lies in what your particular financial situation is like, how good your poker skills are, and how you react to taking risks. 

The very first thing you should do is honestly evaluate your ability at playing online poker.  If you determine that you are a beginning to intermediate poker player, and that your skills are not quite at the level of being called professional, look no further.  It does not matter how large a bankroll you have, or how big of a millionaire you are, if you are relatively new to playing online poker, you should play at tables with no more than $1/$2 stakes.  Unless there are sharks passing under the radar, you can guarantee you will not find stiff, professional competition at these tables. 

If you think you have what it takes to play with the pros in the online poker room, be sure that your gambling money will be able to carry you through at least seven betting sessions.  If not, or if it makes you uncomfortable to play at a higher limit, you should also stick to the $2 tables. 

Remember that your aversion to risk is another consideration when determining which tables you should gamble at.  If you ever find yourself betting large portions of your bankroll at higher limits or making bets that make you uncomfortable and uneasy, go down to a lower limit.  Every gambler (including online poker players) who plays with scared money, is guaranteed to lose.

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