Poker Stars, $11 + $1 NL Hold'em Tournament, 75/150 Blinds, 7 Players LeggoPoker.com - Hand History Converter UTG+1: 1,155 Hero (MP): 1,445 CO: 5,975. Find myself blinding out and then needing several double ups to have any chance of a final table or top 3 finish. Perfect example was last night in a 2 buck mtt. Went to the final table with 10 bb and finished 6th after shoving 7 8 suited with 3 bb on the button.
The answer to this is a resounding Yes! We poker players absolutely have a range of hands we should be open-shoving with when short-stacked. In fact, this is one of the few areas of poker that is actually 'solved' by the math geeks of poker. The solution method derives from something called the Nash Equilibrium method.
In game theory, Nash equilibrium is a method of solving so-called 'non-cooperative games' (like poker) that involve two or more players. Nash assumes that each player is playing perfectly; i.e,. everyone knows the strategies and best decisions of the other players, and no player has anything to gain by changing only their own strategy unilaterally. Said another way: Hero and Villain are in Nash equilibrium if Hero is making the best decision he can, taking into account Villain's strategy, and Villain is making the best decision he can, taking into account Hero's strategy.
Uh, okay. What's this got to do short stack poker? Answer: the math boys have used this method to work out the chip-EV calculations for different hand ranges, given an assumed payout structure of an MTT, for different stack sizes and table sizes. The result of this is something called Push-Fold charts. Google/Bing/Yahoo the term and you'll find lots of information on this approach to short stack play. Or, even better, let Uncle Bug do it for you: Just go to a site like Exceptional Poker to get the charts. For instance, here's a chart for open-shoving when you're at 10 big blinds at a full ring table:
If you were in MP with, say four players left to act, and the action folds to you and there are not yet Antes involved, you should be open shoving with: 22+ A7s+ A5s-A3s ATo+ K8s+ KJo+ Q8s+ QJo J8s+ T8s+ 98s. If you have a shorter stack than 10bb, just select the appropriate tab on the web page and go from there. Same with 6-max and heads-up play. (Note that if you have more than 10bb, you should be open-raising to less than all-in.)
Now, are the charts on a site like this perfect for all situations? No, of course not. The charts don't take into account things like individual villain traits and tendencies, and by default they have to assume a specific payout structure that may or may not match the tourney you're playing in (e.g., this particular web site assumes a very top-heavy payout structure). They also assume your opponents are playing perfectly and adjusting accordingly. This is clearly not true...
... but it turns out that this doesn't actually matter much. Most experts agree that if you use correct short-stack push-fold charts like the ones found on Exceptional Poker you will have a significant advantage over ~60% of the players you find at low and mid-stakes online tourneys, and probably a high as 70%+ in your local casino live low-stakes tourneys. Pay attention- this is a really significant edge, folks.
Poker Push Shove Chart
Note that if you're new to push-fold Nash charts, you might think the hand ranges seem pretty wide. Well, yes, they are. But the math don't lie, and countless computer simulations by lots of smart poker/math guys have proven that these charts represent the game theory optimal solution and are correct.
Note also that the Nash ranges assume you're up against opponents who play perfectly. When they make mistakes or don't play optimally, you profit even more by using the charts. Note however that if your opponent's mistakes are significantly large you can make even more profit by deviating your push/fold ranges from the chart. Usually this means tightening up a wee bit. But don't go too far, or you will be the one straying too far from Nash's recommendations-- and therefore be the one playing sub-optimally.
All-in for now...
-Bug
We already wrote the book on the 10 Essential Texas Hold’em Moves and now we’re back to bring you 10 more.
Nash Poker Shove Chart
Today we’re looking at how to play short-stacked by using push/fold strategy, sometimes called “all-in or fold.”
What is Push-Fold Strategy?
By cutting down your options to just two simple moves you’ll give yourself the best chance of getting back on your feet and making a deep run in the tournament.
By moving all-in and folding at the right times you will:
- Use your stack effectively to pick up blinds and antes
- Avoid losing valuable chips by limping or raising only to fold later in the hand
- Make your double-ups count
The What: Push/Fold strategy is exactly what it sounds like: Reducing your list of options to either moving all-in or folding your hand before the flop.
The Why: When your stack gets below 10 big blinds you can no longer afford to spend chips by limping or raising, only to fold later in the hand. By only moving all-in or folding you can make full use of what few chips you have.
The Where: All-in or fold strategy is used in tournaments and sit and go’s, where shortstack situations are common due to rising blinds.
Poker Shove Call Chart
The When: Push/Fold poker strategy comes into play when you have 10 big blinds or less.
How to Play Push-Fold Strategy the Right Way
As a beginner poker player you should always try to make your decisions as easy and straightforward as possible.
All-in or fold strategy takes that idea to heart and by understanding a few simple concepts you’ll be able to use it to make better decisions when you’re shortstacked in poker tournaments.
The definition of “shortstacked” changes depending on who you ask but it’s generally accepted that if you have ten big blinds or less, you’re short.
You should know how big your stack is relative to the blinds at all times but 10 big blinds is an especially important benchmark to be aware of.Get $88 Free Now!
Pro Tip
To better understand your stack size taking into account blinds and antes, learn to calculate your M-Ratio, a model developed by former world champion Dan Harrington as part of his Zone System.
Why is an All-In Better than Raise?
As a shortstack your biggest concern is survival and the best way to do that is to avoid confrontation.
Imagine you have ten big blinds and it folds to you on the button. You raise a standard 3x and the big blind looks down at 1010JJ
Many players would call your 3x raise with that hand, but fold had you moved all-in for the full ten big blinds.
Unless you have a monster hand like pocket aces or kings, it’s preferable for your opponents to fold and for you to take down the blinds and antes.
Stealing Your Way to a Big Stack
Instead of trying to double-up with an all-in when you’re short you can build your stack by using position and aggression to win the blinds and antes. In an ideal world all your opponents would be tight-passive players that fold everything but the biggest hands, regardless of rising blinds and dwindling stacks.
But your opponents understand that they can’t afford to sit around and wait for a hand that may or may not appear, and so should you. Consider these important factors when deciding to move all-in or fold:
- You should always be the first player into the pot unless you have a premium hand and want to get called.
- The better your position, the more hands you can shove with.
- If you’re up against loose players or big stacks in the blinds, tighten up your shoving range. If the blinds are tight and only calling with premium hands loosen up.
- Unless you have a monster hand winning the blinds and antes is preferable to risking elimination.
How to Play Push/Fold Strategy on the Bubble
The most important exception to basic push/fold poker is when you’re on the bubble of a tournament or sit and go. Because of the massive equity difference between bubbling and making the money you need a much bigger edge to justify risking elimination with an all-in.
This concept is best illustrated by the math formula known as the Independent Chip Model (ICM) but as a beginner all you need to know is that if you’re moving all-in or calling all-in on the bubble, you should have a very good reason.
If you think you’re flipping a coin just fold and wait for a better spot.
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