Level 3Tournaments
Tournament Strategy: Stack Sizes and Push-Fold Play
How your stack size in big blinds changes tournament strategy: deep, medium and short stacks, open-shoving, re-shoving, antes and when to move to push-fold.
ICM Calculator
Convert tournament chip stacks into prize-pool equity with the Independent Chip Model. Great for final-table deals.
Players & stacks
Payouts
Common structures:
ICM equity
| Player | Chips | Chip % | Equity % | Equity |
|---|
How to use the ICM calculator
Enter each remaining player’s chip stack and the prizes still to be paid. The calculator uses the Malmuth–Harville model to estimate each player’s expected share of the prize pool. Notice how the chip leader’s equity share is always smallerthan their chip share, while short stacks are worth more than their chips suggest — that’s why survival matters so much near pay jumps.
Frequently asked questions
What is ICM in poker?
The Independent Chip Model estimates each player’s share of a tournament prize pool from their chip stack. Because prizes are paid by finishing position, chips are not worth their face value in money.
When should I use an ICM calculator?
Near the money bubble and at final tables, where pay jumps are large. It is also the standard way to work out a fair split when players agree a deal.
What are the limits of ICM?
ICM ignores skill differences, seat position and blind levels. It treats every chip as equally likely to end up anywhere, so treat results as a strong guide rather than the final word.
Learn the idea behind it
Level 4TournamentsICM and Final Tables: Tournament Equity Explained
Why tournament chips aren't worth their face value: how ICM turns stacks into prize equity, the bubble risk premium with worked numbers, and final-table strategy.
MTT · Stage 1TournamentsHow Poker Tournaments Work: Structures, Blinds and Payouts
Starting stacks, blind levels, antes, late registration, re-entries and payout structures — and how each one changes the way you should play a tournament.