What is BB/Hour in Poker? Win Rate Explained for Cash Game Players

What is BB/Hour in Poker?

BB/hour (Big Blinds per Hour) is the standard metric used by poker players to measure their win rate in cash games. It represents how many big blinds you win or lose on average for every hour you play.

Why BB/Hour Matters

Unlike measuring your results in dollars, BB/hour allows you to:

• Compare results across different stakes - A 10 BB/hour winner at $1/$2 and $5/$10 are performing equally well
• Track improvement over time - Your skill level is reflected regardless of what stakes you play
• Set realistic expectations - Know what win rate is achievable at your level

How to Calculate BB/Hour

The formula is simple:

BB/Hour = (Total Profit in Big Blinds) / (Hours Played)

For example, if you won $300 in a 5-hour session at $1/$2 (where the big blind is $2):

• Profit in BB = $300 / $2 = 150 BB
• BB/Hour = 150 / 5 = 30 BB/hour

Using Our Free Calculator

Instead of doing the math manually, use our free poker hourly calculator to instantly calculate your BB/hour, hourly rate, and session statistics.

What is a Good BB/Hour?

Win rates vary significantly by game type and player pool:

Live Poker

| Player Level | BB/Hour Range | |-------------|---------------| | Break-even | 0-2 BB/hr | | Recreational winner | 2-5 BB/hr | | Good regular | 5-10 BB/hr | | Strong pro | 10-15 BB/hr | | Elite crusher | 15+ BB/hr |

Online Poker

Online games run faster (60-100 hands/hour vs 25-35 live), so BB/hour is typically lower:

• Break-even: 0-1 BB/hr
• Winning regular: 2-5 BB/hr
• Strong winner: 5-8 BB/hr

Factors That Affect Your BB/Hour

1. Game Selection

The biggest factor in your win rate isn't your skill—it's who you play against. Tables with recreational players offer much higher win rates than tough lineups.

2. Stakes Level

Lower stakes games typically have weaker players, leading to higher BB/hour. As you move up, competition increases and win rates compress.

3. Playing Style

• TAG (Tight-Aggressive): Consistent, moderate win rates
• LAG (Loose-Aggressive): Higher variance but potentially higher win rates
• Nit: Lower win rate but more consistent

4. Session Length

Short sessions have higher variance. Your true BB/hour becomes clearer over thousands of hours.

Common BB/Hour Mistakes

Mistake 1: Small Sample Size

Don't draw conclusions from a few sessions. You need at least 500-1000 hours before your BB/hour is statistically meaningful.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Rake

Your gross BB/hour means nothing—always factor in rake. A game with high rake can turn a winning player into a loser.

Mistake 3: Not Tracking Break Time

If you take a 30-minute dinner break during a 6-hour session, you really only played 5.5 hours. Use our hourly calculator to accurately track net playing time.

Converting BB/Hour to Hourly Wage

To see your actual earnings:

Hourly Wage = BB/Hour × Big Blind Amount

| Stakes | BB/Hour | Hourly Wage | |--------|---------|-------------| | $1/$2 | 10 | $20/hour | | $2/$5 | 10 | $50/hour | | $5/$10 | 10 | $100/hour |

Start Tracking Your Win Rate

Understanding and tracking your BB/hour is essential for any serious poker player. Use our free poker hourly calculator to:

• Calculate your exact BB/hour after each session
• Account for break time accurately
• See your hourly wage in dollars
• Track ROI per session

The more data you collect, the better you'll understand your true win rate and where you can improve.