How to use it
Type in the big blind of the game you're thinking about. In a $1/$3 game that's 3. In $2/$5 it's 5. Hit the button and you get five stack sizes in dollars: 20, 50, 100, 150 and 200 big blinds.
Now put that next to the room's own rules. Every room sets a minimum and maximum buy-in for each game, and those limits decide what you can actually bring to the table. If you want 100 big blinds in a $1/$3 game, you need $300 in chips, and the room's max has to allow it. Check the stakes by room and the room profile before you go.
Why players talk in big blinds
A $300 stack plays very differently at $1/$3 than at $2/$5. At $1/$3 it's 100 big blinds, a normal full stack. At $2/$5 it's 60, which is on the short side. Talking in big blinds lets you compare stacks across games and makes strategy advice make sense no matter the stake.
What each depth means at the table
- 20bb: short. Most decisions come down to shoving or folding once someone raises.
- 50bb: medium-short. You can play, but speculative hands like small pairs and suited connectors lose value because you can't win a big pot when they hit.
- 100bb: the usual full-stack reference point, and what most strategy material assumes.
- 150 to 200bb: deep. More play after the flop, bigger pots and bigger mistakes. Hands that make the nuts go up in value.
If you're new to live poker, buying in for around 100 big blinds keeps things simple. Your stack matches what most advice assumes, and you're not risking more than a normal full buy-in. Only sit down with money you've already set aside for the session. The bankroll and session limits guide covers how much to bring.
Buy-in FAQ
How much should I buy in for at $1/$3?
Around $300, which is 100 big blinds, is the usual reference point. The room's own minimum and maximum set the actual range, so check them before you sit down.
Is it better to buy in short or deep?
Neither is always better. A short stack keeps decisions simpler and risks less. A deep stack lets you win more with strong hands but makes mistakes more expensive. Around 100 big blinds is the easiest place to learn.
Does the calculator know each room's buy-in limits?
No. It only multiplies the big blind. Room minimums and maximums vary by game, so use the stakes matrix and the room profile, and confirm with the room.