Hourly Rate

Overview

Hourly Rate (often abbreviated as $/hr) is a key metric for poker players, especially those who play live cash games or track their results over time. It represents the average profit (or loss) per hour of playing poker. For example, a player with a $50 hourly rate expects to earn $50 for every hour they play, though actual results vary due to variance.

Calculation

Hourly Rate is calculated by dividing total profit by total hours played:

Hourly Rate = (Total Profit) / (Total Hours Played)

Only playing time counts; breaks, waiting for seats, or travel time are typically excluded unless specified. Some players also include expenses (e.g., tips, rake) in the calculation to get a net hourly rate.

Importance

• Profitability Benchmark: Helps players compare earnings between different games, stakes, or formats (e.g., cash vs. tournaments).
• Bankroll Management: Determines if a player can make a living or allocate sufficient bankroll for their stakes.
• Performance Tracking: Allows players to evaluate their skill improvement over time.

Factors Influencing Hourly Rate

• Stakes: Higher blinds generally lead to higher potential hourly rates, but also increased variance and risk.
• Game Type: No-Limit Hold'em cash games often have higher hourly rates than limit games due to larger pots and deeper stack dynamics. Tournament players use $/hr as well, but it can be volatile due to long sessions and large payout jumps.
• Skill Level: Better players have positive hourly rates, while weaker players may have negative rates (i.e., losing money).
• Number of Tables (Multi-tabling): Online players can increase hourly rate by playing multiple tables simultaneously, though this may reduce per-table win rate due to less focus.
• Game Conditions: Soft games (many recreational players) yield higher hourly rates than tough games with many regulars.
• Rake & Tips: In live games, rake and tips reduce hourly rate; lower rake environments are more profitable.

Hourly Rate vs. BB/100

• BB/100 (Big Blinds per 100 hands) is more common for online players, as it normalizes win rate independently of hand speed. Hourly rate combines win rate with hands per hour (which varies by format and venue). For example, a live player might play 30 hands/hour, while an online player playing 6 tables may see 600 hands/hour. A player with the same BB/100 will have a much higher hourly rate online.

Typical Values

• Live Low Stakes (1/2 NLH): $10–$30 per hour for winning players.
• Live Mid Stakes (5/10 NLH): $50–$100+ per hour.
• Online Micro Stakes: $2–$10 per hour (if multi-tabling).
• Online High Stakes: Can exceed $500 per hour.

These numbers are illustrative; actual results depend on skill, game selection, and variance.

Limitations

• Variance: Short-term hourly rates can be misleading due to luck. Thousands of hours may be needed for a reliable estimate.
• Expenses: Travel, entry fees, membership costs, and taxes should be subtracted for true net hourly rate.
• Inconsistency: Playing conditions change (e.g., time of day, opponent quality), so a player's hourly rate is not static.