In the world of online poker, players often refer to a metric called “BB/100.” This number is one of the most reliable ways to track how well you’re performing over time. However, many beginners are unfamiliar with it or misunderstand how to interpret it. In this article, we’ll explain what BB/100 means, how to calculate it, and how you can use it to evaluate your win rate and long-term success—especially in cash games.
What Is BB/100 in Poker?
BB/100 stands for Big Blinds won per 100 hands. It tells you how many big blinds you win (or lose) on average for every 100 hands you play.
For example, if your BB/100 is +5, it means you’re winning an average of 5 big blinds every 100 hands.
- BB = Big Blind (e.g., in a $0.50/$1.00 game, 1 BB = $1.00)
- 100 = The hand count unit used for tracking
How to Calculate BB/100
The formula for BB/100 is:
BB/100 = (Total Winnings in Chips ÷ Big Blind Size) ÷ Total Hands × 100
Example Calculation:
- Total winnings: 200 BB
- Total hands played: 5,000
→ BB/100 = (200 ÷ 5000) × 100 = 4.0
So in this case, the player wins 4 big blinds per 100 hands on average.
What Is a Good BB/100 Win Rate?
In online poker, a BB/100 of +3 or more is generally considered solid and indicates long-term profitability. Here’s a general guideline:
| BB/100 Value | Performance |
| +5 or higher | Excellent |
| +2 to +5 | Stable winner |
| ±0 | Break-even or marginal |
| -2 or lower | Needs improvement |
Tools for Tracking BB/100
To accurately measure BB/100, you’ll need a tracking tool or HUD (Heads-Up Display) such as:
- PokerTracker
- Hold’em Manager
These programs track your win rate across thousands of hands and automatically calculate BB/100 along with other key stats.
BB/100 vs. ROI: What’s the Difference?
- BB/100 is used for cash games to measure win rate in big blinds.
- ROI (Return on Investment) is used for tournaments to measure profit relative to buy-ins.
Make sure you use the right metric based on the game format you’re playing.
Conclusion
BB/100 is one of the most important stats for evaluating your long-term performance in cash games. For beginners and intermediate players, the first goal should be to achieve a positive BB/100, then work toward consistently maintaining +2 or more. With proper tracking and solid play, this metric can help you measure progress, identify leaks, and build a profitable poker career.