bb/100 refers to the number of big blinds a player wins or loses per 100 hands played. It’s a crucial metric for assessing a poker player’s profitability and performance over time.
Understanding bb/100 in Poker
The term bb/100 is a key metric in the poker world, offering players a clear indicator of their performance over time.
It stands for “big blinds won per 100 hands” and serves as a universal gauge to measure a player’s win rate in both cash games and tournaments.
This measure allows players to compare their profitability, regardless of the stakes they play.
Calculation of bb/100
The formula to calculate bb/100 is relatively straightforward, yet it encapsulates crucial aspects of a poker player’s profitability. It is given by:
For example, if a player wins 3500 big blinds over 100,000 hands, their win rate would be calculated as follows:
This means the player wins 3.5 big blinds for every 100 hands played.
Importance of bb/100
The significance of bb/100 lies in its ability to offer a normalized measure of a player’s success, independent of the game’s stakes.
Win Rates Overview
Win rates can vary significantly among players and depend on several factors, including skill level, stakes, and the game type. Here’s a brief overview of what different bb/100 rates might indicate:
- 1 to 4 bb/100: Considered a great win rate that suggests solid play.
- 5 to 9 bb/100: An amazing win rate that is very high at any level.
- 10+ bb/100: An immense win rate, though often associated with a smaller sample size
Factors Influencing bb/100
Several factors can affect a player’s bb/100 rate, including variance, volume of play, and game selection. Variance can cause fluctuations in short-term results, while increased volume can help mitigate its impact over time.
Additionally, playing against weaker opponents or in games with lower rake can significantly improve a player’s bb/100 rate.
bb/100 vs. BB/100
It’s crucial to distinguish between bb/100 and BB/100, as they are related but distinct metrics. While bb/100 measures big blinds won per 100 hands, BB/100 refers to big bets (double the big blind in limit games) won per 100 hands.
For no-limit or pot-limit players, the focus primarily remains on bb/100.
Conclusion
In conclusion, bb/100 is an invaluable metric for poker players aiming to track and improve their performance.
By understanding and applying this measure, players can make informed decisions about their game strategies, table selection, and overall approach to the game.
