← Back to glossary

Variance

The natural swings in results due to luck over the short term.

In depth

Variance refers to the natural short-term fluctuations in poker results caused by luck. Even with sound strategy, outcomes may temporarily deviate from expectations due to randomness. It highlights why short-term performance doesn’t always reflect skill, while long-term success depends on consistent decision-making. Understanding variance helps distinguish between luck-driven swings and strategic merit.

Chinese: 方差 / 波动