Poker glossary

Push/Fold Poker Strategy

Learn push/fold strategy for short-stack tournaments and when shoving or folding replaces smaller raises.

Definition

Push/fold strategy means deciding mainly between moving all-in or folding, usually at shallow stack depths.

Why it matters

At short stacks, small raises can commit too much of your stack or invite awkward postflop spots. Shoving preserves fold equity and realizes your hand's equity.

Example spot

At 8BB in the small blind, many playable hands become shoves rather than small raises.

Open this spot in the calculator

Common mistake

Trying to play too many small-ball postflop lines with a stack that has little room to maneuver.

Related terms

Keep building the concept map

Open shove

An open shove is moving all-in as the first voluntary action before the flop.

Fold equity

Fold equity is the value you gain when opponents fold and you win the pot without needing to show down the best hand.

Effective stack

The effective stack is the smallest stack involved in a hand. It is the most either player can win or lose against each other.

FAQ

Tournament spot questions

At what stack does push/fold start?

It depends on position and action, but around 12BB and below many tournament spots become push/fold heavy.

Is push/fold only for bad hands?

No. Premium hands can also be shoves when the stack is shallow enough.