Bubble
The stage of a tournament where one more elimination will bring remaining players into the money.
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What Is Bubble?
The bubble is one of the most psychologically and strategically important stages of a tournament, as players near the money often tighten up dramatically to avoid busting just short of a payout. This shift in opponent behavior creates opportunities for bigger stacks to apply pressure and steal blinds and pots from shorter stacks trying to survive. Once the bubble bursts and a player is eliminated, remaining players are guaranteed a min-cash and often play looser again.
Examples
With 46 players remaining and 45 paid, the tournament is on the bubble and short stacks are playing very cautiously.
A big stack aggressively raises on the bubble, exploiting opponents who are unwilling to risk elimination just before the money.
Strategy Tips
As a big stack on the bubble, apply pressure by raising and re-raising more liberally, since medium and short stacks are often reluctant to risk elimination. As a medium or short stack, tighten your ranges near the bubble but avoid becoming so passive that you get blinded down to an unplayable stack. Use ICM calculations to understand exactly how much survival value is at stake compared to the chips themselves. Recognize that bubble dynamics shift immediately once the bubble bursts, and adjust back toward normal strategy.