Tournament Basics

ICM intro, push/fold charts, and chip EV vs dollar EV.

Tournament poker differs from cash games in one critical way: you can't rebuy (in most formats). Every chip decision affects your survival. The chip you save is often worth more than the chip you win.

ICM in one example

3 players left. Payouts: 1st=$1000, 2nd=$600, 3rd=$400. You and villain have equal stacks (40% of chips each).

Villain shoves. Call and win → your equity jumps from ~$700 to ~$1,600. Call and lose → you bust for $400.

→ You need much better than 50% equity to break even. ICM punishes all-in gambles near the money.

Push/fold: Once your stack falls below 10–15 big blinds, stop limping and raising — just shove or fold. Push/fold charts tell you which hands to shove from each position based on stack size.

← Prev Back to Learn →