Bubble

Basic Definition

In poker tournaments, the term "bubble" refers to the stage where only one player needs to be eliminated for the remaining players to reach the prize money. At this point, surviving becomes extremely important because the next player to be knocked out will determine the prize distribution.

Specific Situation

• In a tournament with 100 participants where the top 20 receive prize money, the situation for the remaining 21 players is called the bubble. In this situation, players with shallow stacks become particularly cautious in their play.
• In a bubble situation, players with a lot of chips often take an aggressive strategy by raising to pressure players with smaller stacks.

Important Information

• During the bubble period, many players prioritize getting into the prize zone, which tends to lead to more cautious play. Because of this, aggressive play can sometimes be effective.
• You need to adjust your strategy based on your chip count (stack size). If you have a short stack, play cautiously and aim to reach the prize zone, while with a big stack, you can pressure other players.

Examples of Term Usage

"We've entered the bubble phase, so let's play carefully and aim to win the prize."