poker tournaments

Poker Tournaments: Stack Depth, ICM, And Shove Spots

Learn how poker tournaments change strategy through blind levels, effective stacks, antes, payout pressure, and ICM.

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Search intent

Tournament strategy and tournament-format education.

Tournament chips change value

Unlike cash games, tournament chips do not have a fixed dollar value. Pay jumps, bubble pressure, and final-table ladders make some chip-EV gambles less attractive.

Why short stacks shove

When stacks are shallow, shoving can preserve fold equity and deny opponents the chance to realize equity cheaply. The best action depends on hand strength, position, stack, and prior action.

Practice the concept

Tournament spots to review next

10BB BTN A5S First In

A5S from the button at 10BB in a middle tournament spot. The heuristic recommends shove with 78% confidence.

12BB CO KQO open

KQO from the cutoff at 12BB in a middle tournament spot. The heuristic recommends shove with 73% confidence.

8BB SB A7O limp

A7O from the small blind at 8BB in a middle tournament spot. The heuristic recommends shove with 65% confidence.

15BB HJ 99 open

99 from the hijack at 15BB in a final table tournament spot. The heuristic recommends fold with 62% confidence.

6BB UTG AA limp

AA from the under the gun at 6BB in a middle tournament spot. The heuristic recommends shove with 88% confidence.

6BB UTG KK limp

KK from the under the gun at 6BB in a middle tournament spot. The heuristic recommends shove with 87% confidence.

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FAQ

Tournament spot questions

What is ICM in poker tournaments?

ICM estimates how tournament chip stacks translate into payout equity, which makes bustout risk important near bubbles and final tables.

What is an effective stack?

The effective stack is the smallest stack involved in a hand, measured here in big blinds.