Master The Basics of ICM With 888poker's Ian Simpson
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Independent Chip Model, abbreviated to ICM, is a mathematical model that enables you to work out how much your tournament chips are worth in real money as you play. ICM is complex, but learning at least the basics is essential for those wishing to succeed in tournament poker.
ICM is not used in cash games because the value of your stack always matches what you have in front of you when playing cash. However, things are different in tournament poker, particularly in the latter stages, such as when you are on the money bubble, on the final table bubble, or at the final table vying for the top prizes.
ICM considers two factors: the stack sizes of all the remaining players and the payout structure. The complex ICM calculation reveals how much your tournament chips are worth at that point. When you are near the bubble or there's a significant pay jump, it can sometimes be mathematically correct to fold monster hands in order to preserve your tournament life. This is because you can cash in a tournament or win a satellite's prize even if you only have a single chip in your stack; being eliminated is disastrous.
888poker ambassador Ian Simpson broke down some ICM scenarios during a recent Made to Learn video on 888poker's YouTube channel. Simpson reflected on a satellite hand he once played where he was on the bubble for a $30,000 package. The action folded to the small blind, who moved all-in for 30 big blinds. Simpson looked down at ace-queen suited, one of the top 10 hands in No-Limit Hold'em.
Although Simpson's hand was likely a substantial favorite against the small blind's shoving range in this spot, he ran ICM calculations after the tournament, and he should have folded the hand. As you can see from this example, ICM can create some crazy spots, even folding powerhouse hands. This is because winning tournament chips is nowhere near as valuable as preserving those already in your stack.
Check out Simpson's ICM tips in the video below:
Short Stack Implications
As Simpson explains, your goal as a short stack in a tournament where the money bubble is approaching is to survive. You need to assess how likely you are to get into the money based on how tight you can play.
This means you need to be more selective with the hands you play. Depending on your stack size, you may want to fold ace-queen to a three-bet, or you may have to go with the hand if you are going to need more chips to navigate to the money places.
Chip Leader Implications
Being the chip leader as the bubble approaches is a great situation to find yourself in, but that doesn't mean there are no ICM implications attached to your actions. While you still need to exercise some caution, having the biggest stack means you get to play lots of hands and apply ICM-based pressure to the shorter stacks.
Applying pressure with hands that have blockers is Simpson's advice. Hands like king-deuce suited become more profitable not only because they have flush potential, but they also reduce the probability that your opponent will have a king in their hand, reducing the likelihood they have hands like king-jack or king-queen when they do tangle with you.
Medium Stack Implications
Medium or middling stacks are the trickiest stack size to play when considering ICM implications on bubbles. If you lose to a short stack as a middling stack, you become the short stack. The bigger stacks also cover you, meaning they can eliminate you, and you go home empty-handed.
The distribution of the stacks at the table plays a significant role in the hands you play as a middling stack. If the bigger stacks are on your right, you can see how they act before deciding to play or not. However, if those bigger stacks are to your left, your marginal hands become unplayable, hamstringing you significantly at the business end of the tournament.
Should You Study ICM?
Simpson explains that ICM situations are much rarer than many of the concepts players study away from tables, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't dedicate some time to studying ICM. If you find yourself on the bubble or at a final table, you want to be prepared for every eventuality. The better prepared you are, the more likely you are to perform well.
Test Your ICM Knowledge in 888poker Tournaments
The PokerNews Online Tournament Calendar is a free-to-use tool built into the PokerNews website that enables you to find upcoming and in-play multi-table tournaments on poker sites like 888poker, PartyPoker, and PokerStars. By using the intuitive filters, you can narrow down your search and find the perfect 888poker tournament for you, your bankroll, and your needs.
