if you're regularly running up CC debt you need to redefine 'reasonable' amount of money in the bank and accept that you are living check to check. Which is not bad with a 401k on the side. It sounds like using the poker money to pay off your CC debt is the correct choice and moving up levels when you rely on this money to stay out of debt is not a good decision. You a) need the money and b) probably won't play as well.

Problem is not "Poker roll should be off limits" it's "You overspend a bit because you know your roll is there". You don't need to change anything except your perspective. Obv if you want to move up levels you need to stop spending as much but leaving the roll intact while paying interest on credit card debt would be the stooooopid thing.