Short stack situations are an inevitable part of tournament poker. Even the best players face times when their chip stacks dwindle, leaving them with limited options. However, having a short stack doesn’t mean you’re out of the tournament—it just means your strategy needs to shift. By staying disciplined and making the right moves, you can survive, rebuild, and even mount a comeback.

Understanding Short Stack Dynamics

A short stack is typically defined as having less than 20 big blinds. At Master Poker Vietnam this point, your ability to see flops cheaply or make speculative plays is limited. Every decision carries more weight, and survival becomes as important as chip accumulation.

Common Short Stack Mistakes

• Limping into pots instead of shoving or folding.

• Calling raises without a clear post-flop plan.

• Waiting too long for premium hands and getting blinded out.

When to Shove and When to Fold

The primary tool of a short stack is the all-in shove. This move maximizes your fold equity and simplifies your decision-making.

Good Spots to Shove

• When you’re first to enter the pot and in late position.

• Against players who open too wide from early or middle position.

• With hands like A-x, broadway cards, small pocket pairs, and suited connectors, depending on your position and stack size.

Spots to Avoid Shoving

• Against tight players who only call with strong hands.

• When someone has already raised and is unlikely to fold.

• From early position with weak holdings that have little equity when called.

Utilizing Fold Equity

Fold equity is your ability to make opponents fold. As a short stack, fold equity is your lifeline. Shoving with hands that may not be premium but could get folds from better hands is key to survival.

How to Maximize Fold Equity

• Shove first rather than calling.

• Target medium stacks who are less likely to call without a premium hand.

• Be aware of your table image; if you haven’t shoved recently, your all-in may get more respect.

Adjusting to Different Blind Levels

Blind and ante increases shrink your stack faster in later stages. Adjust your shove range based on how quickly the blinds are coming around.

• 10–15 BB: Open shove most playable hands.

• 6–9 BB: Shove almost any two cards from late position.

• Under 5 BB: Take any reasonable spot, as you have little room left.

Mental Approach to Short Stack Play

It’s easy to feel frustrated when short-stacked, but mindset plays a crucial role.

Stay Positive and Focused

• Remind yourself that short stacks often come back to win tournaments.

• Focus on making good decisions rather than feeling sorry for your situation.

• View each shove as an opportunity, not a desperation move.