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Message: [QUOTE="CRStals, post: 7141219, member: 161937"] We’ve all been there—right at the [B]money bubble[/B] in a poker tournament, unsure whether to [B]push[/B], [B]fold[/B], or [B]hold on for dear life[/B]. It's one of the most tense and complex stages of tournament poker. This guide will help you develop a sharper edge at the bubble by understanding [B]ICM pressure[/B], [B]bubble factors[/B], and [B]stack-based strategy[/B]. Let’s turn the bubble into your launchpad for a final table run. [HR][/HR] [HEADING=1]🔍 What You’ll Learn:[/HEADING] [LIST] [*]What is [B]ICM[/B] and how does it affect bubble play? [*]Why you should [B]play to win[/B], not just cash [*]When to [B]widen[/B] or [B]tighten[/B] your range [*]How to [B]read stacks[/B] across tables—not just your own [/LIST] [HR][/HR] [HEADING=2]💥 ICM at the Bubble: Why It Matters[/HEADING] ICM (Independent Chip Model) isn't just a concept—it's the [I]currency[/I] of tournament equity. At the bubble: [LIST] [*][B]Losing all your chips = $0 equity[/B] [*][B]Winning an all-in = a smaller-than-you-think boost in $EV[/B] [/LIST] [B]Enter the Bubble Factor[/B] (From [I]Kill Everyone[/I], 2009): [HEADING=3]Bubble Factor Depends On:[/HEADING] [LIST] [*][B]Payout Structure[/B] [LIST] [*]Winner-take-all: Bubble Factor = 1 [*]Satellites: May fold AA preflop! Why --> Make the money, win the tournament [*]PKOs: Lower bubble factors thanks to bounties [/LIST] [*][B]Tournament Stage[/B] [LIST] [*]Bubble & Final Table = Highest ICM pressure [/LIST] [*][B]Stack Size[/B] [LIST] [*][B]Big Stacks:[/B] Low risk = wide range [*][B]Short Stacks:[/B] Also low risk = shove or fold [*][B]Medium Stacks:[/B] [I]Highest risk[/I] = be cautious [/LIST] [/LIST] 🧠 [B]Tip:[/B] Medium stacks must avoid busting before shorter stacks. Be extra careful here. [HR][/HR] [HEADING=2]💥 Playing for the Win (Not the Min-Cash)[/HEADING] Think of your table like a battlefield with roles: [LIST] [*][B]Big Stacks:[/B] They bully. They play wide. But they also don’t want to lose their power. [B]Your move?[/B] Attack with strong hands—they’ll often fold rather than risk their position. [*][B]Medium Stacks:[/B] The most ICM-sensitive. If they’re entering a hand, they're [I]strong[/I]. [B]Your move?[/B] Fold more often against them—they’re not messing around. [*][B]Short Stacks:[/B] Desperate to double up. Will shove with weak aces, low pairs. [B]Your move?[/B] Use hands that crush their range (think suited connectors or broadway cards). [/LIST] 🧠 [B]Reminder:[/B] Stack size isn’t just [I]at your table[/I], it’s [I]tournament-wide[/I]. The biggest stack at your table may only be average overall. [HR][/HR] [HEADING=2]💥 Adjusting Your Ranges at the Bubble[/HEADING] If you’re a: [LIST] [*][B]Big Stack:[/B] Open wider, isolate short stacks, apply pressure [*][B]Medium Stack:[/B] Tighten up—one wrong move and you’re out before the money [*][B]Short Stack:[/B] Shove wider against medium stacks, but beware of loose-calling big stacks [/LIST] [HR][/HR] [HEADING=2]💥 Watching Other Tables: Bubble Info is Power[/HEADING] ICM is a tournament-wide concept—not just a local one. Here's how to use it: ✅ [B]Track short stacks elsewhere[/B] Are 2–3 players about to bust? Great time to steal from survival-mode players. ✅ [B]Notice table dynamics[/B] Big stack raising often? Maybe their range is too wide—use that info. ✅ [B]Know your position:[/B] [LIST] [*]Are you the shortest stack in the room? [*]Do you have fold equity? [*]Who [I]can[/I] bust before you? [/LIST] 🧠 [B]Example:[/B] If you’re sitting with 10BBs but there are 3 players with 4–6BB elsewhere, you can wait it out. If not—you may need to gamble. [HR][/HR] [HEADING=2]🎯 Summary: Mastering the Bubble[/HEADING] ✅ Play with [B]purpose[/B] – for the win, not just the payout ✅ Use [B]stack-aware[/B] strategy ✅ [B]Exploit medium stacks[/B], avoid the big and small ones ✅ [B]Track the tournament[/B], not just your table ✅ Understand when to go for it – and when to let others bust first [HR][/HR] [HEADING=2]💬 What About You?[/HEADING] [B]How do you approach the money bubble in poker tournaments?[/B] Share your tips, close calls, or biggest bubble wins. What works for [I]you[/I]? 👇 Drop your thoughts below—we’re all here to learn and level up together! [HR][/HR] [B]🔔 Subscribe to the CardsChat Learning Series[/B] So you never miss the next drop! Turn on notifications and keep sharpening your edge — one position at a time. [B][I]You can find all our poker learning series right here: [/I][URL='https://www.cardschat.com/forum/learning-poker-57/cardschat-learning-poker-thread-series-guide-543900/'][I]CardsChat Learning Poker Thread Series Guide[/I][/URL][/B] [IMG width="659px" alt="87a15cf88098d189c35ee2b4b725d9bb.png"]https://i.gyazo.com/87a15cf88098d189c35ee2b4b725d9bb.png[/IMG] [/QUOTE]

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