The bubble is the stage of a poker tournament just before the prize money starts. If 100 players are paid, the player who finishes 101st is the bubble boy or “bursts the bubble” — they go home with nothing, while everyone left wins at least a min-cash.
Why the bubble changes strategy
Near the money, chips you lose are worth more than chips you win, because busting costs you a guaranteed payout. This effect is described by the Independent Chip Model (ICM). On the bubble, ICM pressure is often at its highest.
Bubble strategy by stack size
- Big stack: attack. Medium stacks cannot call you without risking elimination, so raise and steal often, especially against players who cover less than you.
- Medium stack: tighten up, especially against bigger stacks. Avoid big all-in confrontations unless you have a premium hand.
- Short stack: you may be able to fold into the money if other short stacks are about to bust. If not, look for good spots to move all-in using a ICM push/fold chart.
Hand-for-hand play
In multi-table tournaments, when the bubble is very close, dealers play hand for hand: every table plays one hand at a time so that players cannot stall to move up.
Satellites
In satellites, where every remaining player wins the same seat, bubble pressure is extreme: with a stack that is very likely to win a seat, you may correctly fold even pocket aces.
Calculate your stack’s real value with the ICM calculator. More terms in the poker glossary.