Tournament concept

Short Stack: Tournament Poker Concept Explained

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

Quick answer

Short Stack: Having significantly fewer chips than the table average.

In more detail

Below 25 BB you should be deploying push/fold ranges; below 10 BB it’s critical.

Try the tool
Push/fold chart

Common questions

What does Short Stack mean in poker?

Below 25 BB you should be deploying push/fold ranges; below 10 BB it’s critical.

Which PokerPro tool helps with Short Stack?

The push/fold chart. It runs in your browser, free, with no signup.

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.

New to poker? Start with our preflop strategy guide and the free TAG cheatsheet.