Tournament concept

Bubble: Tournament Poker Concept Explained

The definition, with context from real hands and how it connects to the rest of your strategy.

Quick answer

Bubble: The point in a tournament where the next elimination cashes nobody / final-tables nobody.

In more detail

Bubble dynamics: big stacks open everything, medium stacks fold widely, short stacks shove. Where ICM bites hardest.

Common questions

What does Bubble mean in poker?

Bubble dynamics: big stacks open everything, medium stacks fold widely, short stacks shove. Where ICM bites hardest.

Related terms

Add-On
A one-time extra stack offered to every player when the rebuy period closes.
Double Up
Winning an all-in to double your chip stack.
Freeroll
A tournament with no entry fee but real prizes.
ICM
Converts tournament chip stacks to real-dollar equity.

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