Variance
The statistical measure of how much your actual results deviate from your expected results. High variance means bigger swings between winning and losing periods. Poker inherently has high variance because short-term luck can override skill. Understanding variance is crucial for bankroll management and maintaining mental stability during downswings.
Example
You are a winning player at 5bb/100 but just lost 15 buy-ins over 20,000 hands. This is painful but within normal variance — even strong win rates experience brutal downswings.
Where this matters
Move from definition to decision.
Glossary pages explain the language. Use the links below to see how the term affects room choice, rakeback value, or payment tradeoffs on the commercial side of the site.
Related Terms
See Also
- Bankroll Management- The practice of managing your poker funds to minimize the risk of going broke during natural varianc...
- Win Rate- A measure of how much you win per unit of play over time. In cash games, win rate is expressed in bi...