888poker's Best Tips for Playing on the Bubble in Poker Tournaments
For 888poker ambassador Aaron Barone, the tournament bubble is where poker gets most interesting. It is the highest-risk phase of a tournament, but also one that offers the biggest opportunities to build a stack.
The bubble is the point at which the tournament decides who gets paid and who leaves empty-handed. In most events, only around 10–20% of the field cash, with everyone else walking away with nothing.
As the bubble approaches, most players share the same objective. They want to cash. After hours at the table, the last thing anyone wants is to bust just short of the money. Because of that, this is usually not the time to stack off too lightly.
That said, bubble play is not one-size-fits-all. How aggressive or cautious you should be depends heavily on your stack size.
Big Stack Strategy
Being a big stack on the bubble is the most enjoyable position to be in. Other players are focused on survival, while you have room to apply pressure.
Shorter stacks cannot afford to tangle with you too often, which allows you to open more pots, steal blinds, and steadily add chips before reaching the money. Used correctly, a big stack can turn the bubble into a prime opportunity to build momentum.
Medium Stack Strategy
Playing a medium stack on the bubble is more nuanced. While you generally want to stay out of the way of the biggest stacks, you still cover some players, which makes you the aggressor from their perspective.
You can apply pressure to shorter stacks, but should be cautious when entering pots against players who can put your tournament life at risk. Barone also notes that not every larger stack uses their chips aggressively. Identifying passive big stacks allows you to continue raising and applying pressure without facing too much resistance.
Short Stack Strategy
At some point, most players will find themselves short-stacked on the bubble. It is one of the toughest positions to navigate, as survival often requires folding more hands than you would like.
While the goal remains to cash, that does not mean you must fold everything. If opponents are applying too much pressure, there are moments where moving all in can win you valuable chips. Still, every decision carries the risk of elimination, so discipline and patience are key.
Opponent Adjustment
Modern poker often emphasizes solver-based strategies and rigid ideas of correct play. Barone believes that real success still comes from adjusting to the players at your table.
If opponents are overly aggressive, you can either tighten up and let them bluff into you, or choose selective spots to fight back. If players are folding too much, bluffing becomes highly effective. The bubble is no exception. Exploiting tendencies matters more than sticking strictly to theory, as players will approach the bubble far too tight or far too loose.
Once the bubble bursts, everything changes. Payouts are typically flat for a stretch, reducing the incentive to play cautiously and increasing the value of aggression as players look to build stacks for a deeper run.
