๐ Basic Data
Stack
< 30BB
Typical: 15-25BB
SPR
< 3
Low SPR
Strategy
P/F
Push / Fold
VPIP
Variable
Depends on stack
Two Types of Short Stacker
- Intentional short stacker: Uses calculated push/fold charts. Mathematically precise. Proper call range is needed to counter
- Stack-depleted player: Lost chips and ended up short. Push range tends to be too wide or too narrow โ more exploitable
๐ Push/Fold Fundamentals
Push Range by Stack Size (Approximate)
| Stack | BTN Push Range (approx) | SB Push Range (approx) |
|---|---|---|
| 5BB | Almost any hand (~80%+) | Almost any hand |
| 10BB | ~55-65% (all pairs, most Ax) | ~45-55% |
| 15BB | ~35-45% (T9s+, A2s+, KJo+) | ~30-40% |
| 20BB | ~20-30% (88+, ATo+, KQs) | ~18-28% |
| 25BB | ~15-20% (TT+, AJs+, AQo+) | ~12-18% |
* Approximate. Ranges vary significantly by ICM, antes, and table position.
๐ Optimal Call Range
Call Fundamentals
To call a short stacker's push, your equity when calling must exceed the pot odds. Typically your call range should be narrower than their push range.
| Push Stack | BB Call Range vs BTN Push (approx) |
|---|---|
| 10BB | 33%+ (22+, A2s+, A7o+, KTs+, KJo+, QJs) |
| 15BB | 22%+ (55+, A9s+, ATo+, KQs, KQo) |
| 20BB | 15%+ (77+, AJs+, AQo+, KQs) |
| 25BB | 12%+ (88+, AQs+, AKo) |
| 30BB | 10%+ (99+, AQs+, AKo) |
โ๏ธ Exploit Strategy
- Calibrate call range accurately: Know the optimal call range for each push stack size
- Position adjustment: Slightly widen range in IP, narrow slightly OOP
- Don't call too tight: "Only call if I'm sure I'll win" is wrong โ decide based on equity
- Read their push range: Estimate push range from stack size and position, then call accordingly
- Avoid limping into them: Don't limp against short stackers โ raise to apply pressure
- Low SPR = low complexity: Pots with short stackers are mostly decided preflop
- All-in awareness: By the flop, the effective stack may already be near all-in
- Draw handling: With SPR below 1, consider going all-in even with strong draws
- No slow-plays: Low SPR means strong preflop hands should push all-in immediately
SPR (Stack-to-Pot Ratio)
Remaining stack รท pot size after the flop. Lower SPR = simpler decisions.
| SPR | Appropriate Commitment Level |
|---|---|
| < 1 | Top pair = all-in is fine |
| 1-3 | Commit with top pair + good kicker |
| 3-6 | Commit with two pair or better |
| 6-13 | Commit with a set or better |
| 13+ | Commit with nuts or nut draw |
๐ฏ Short Stacker Counter โ Call Range (15BB)
๐ฎ Cash vs Tournament
Cash Game
- Intentional short stackers are common in cash. They have calculated strategies
- Maintain your own deep stack to leverage postflop advantages
- Watch for re-buy patterns โ they may resume the same strategy
Tournament
- Late stages mean almost everyone is short โ memorize push/fold charts
- ICM-adjusted call ranges are narrower than cash (especially near bubble)
- Chip leaders can call wider (lower ICM risk)
- Note whether antes are in play โ they widen push ranges
โ ๏ธ Common Mistakes
What NOT to Do
- Calling too tight: "AK or better only" often loses EV โ decide based on equity
- Ignoring stack size: A 30BB push vs a 10BB push are completely different ranges
- Ignoring position: Optimal call range differs for BTN push vs UTG push
- Ignoring ICM (tournaments): Near the bubble, pure equity calculations are insufficient