BB can mean a unit or a position
BB beside a seat normally identifies the big-blind player. A stack of 20 BB means twenty times the current big blind. Divide the chip count by the current big blind—not the small blind, ante or starting stack.
Three conversion examples
At a big blind of 100, 2,500 chips is 25 BB. At 200, the same stack is 12.5 BB. At 500, 15 BB is 7,500 chips. Check units before comparing two hand histories.
The shorter stack limits heads-up exposure
If you start with 8,000 and an opponent has 3,000, their shorter stack limits how much you can match against each other. That is the usual effective-stack concept. In a multiway pot, assess opponents and pot eligibility separately.
A table stack is different from an account balance
Under table-stakes rules, a hand uses the eligible stack in play when that hand begins. Money elsewhere in an account does not mean chips can be added during the hand. Top-ups, rebuys and re-entries follow their own timing rules.
Rules may vary between platforms, tables and events. This guide explains common rules; available games, eligibility and dispute procedures are determined by the platform's official announcements.
Keep exploring
This guide was independently compiled in Chinese. The following sources let you verify the rules.
Official Poker TDA rules(new window)