Newbie to the forums! And a question:

[BaseballAnnie]

Hello, this is my very first post here, looks like a great place!

I'll start with a question. I've been offered a bankroll into a fairly high stakes tourney next weekend. I've never played with "other people's money" before. If anyone has experience with this, I'd like to know, do you feel like it affected your play, and if so, how?

Thanks all!

[Monkfish]

I suppose what effect it has would depend on your relationship/understanding with the person whose money you're playing with.

If it is someone who doesn't really understand poker and the nature of short-term swings, you might feel under a lot of pressure to produce results quickly and it may have a negative effect on your game. I get fed up of trying to explain to beginners / non-players about short-term luck and long-term skill, and it seems that many simply can't understand.

If, on the other hand, the person is a friend from poker who knows your game well and justifiably has faith in you, I think it may help your game. You would not be so concerned with losing a single session and you will be able to relax a lot more.

[LeFou]

You would not be so concerned with losing a single session and you will be able to relax a lot more.

This is a buyin for a tourney, Monk. I personally frown upon bankrolling people's poker games "in general" but I think a buyin to a big tourney, as a gift, is just fine. Try to limit your friend's "hold" on you to a percentage -- half? -- of your win in that single tournament.

[BaseballAnnie]

Well, he offered a 60/40 split of any winnings in his favor.

This is a tournament I wouldn't be able to play in otherwise because of financial constraints. He's a friend of mine who loves and understands the game, but isn't very good at it

He will be playing in the tourney as well

[LeFou]

Sounds like a perfectly good deal, then. Have fun.

[Spook]

If the man knows the risks, then feel free to play for him. I personally think 60/40 is a good deal for you. He is taking all the risk (except your time) for only 3/5 of the profit so the fact that it leans his way seams fair to me. What kind of buyin are we talking here?