Different poker formats have vastly different typical stack depths, which fundamentally changes optimal strategy.
Format dictates stack depth, stack depth dictates strategy
| Format |
Typical Depth |
Notes |
| Deep cash games |
100-200+ BB |
Standard online cash |
| Live cash |
100-300 BB |
Often uncapped |
| MTT early |
100-200 BB |
Deep stacked play |
| MTT middle |
25-50 BB |
Medium stacks |
| MTT late |
10-30 BB |
Short to medium |
| MTT final table |
10-60 BB |
Variable |
| SNG bubble |
10-25 BB |
Push/fold zone |
| Hyper-turbo |
10-25 BB |
Always short |
| Factor |
Adjustment |
| Implied odds |
Matter more |
| Speculative hands |
More valuable |
| Position |
Critical |
| Postflop play |
Lots of streets |
| Set mining |
Very profitable |
| Factor |
Adjustment |
| Standard poker |
Normal ranges |
| Some implied odds |
Still relevant |
| Postflop |
2-3 streets typically |
| Premiums |
Standard strength |
| Factor |
Adjustment |
| Push/fold emerging |
Some hands auto-shove |
| Implied odds |
Minimal |
| Speculative hands |
Less valuable |
| Preflop all-ins |
More common |
| Factor |
Adjustment |
| Push/fold mode |
Primary strategy |
| No postflop |
All-in preflop often |
| Chart-based |
Follow push/fold charts |
| Survival |
Fold or shove |
| Hand |
Deep (150+ BB) |
Medium (60 BB) |
Short (20 BB) |
| Small pairs |
High (set mining) |
Medium |
Low |
| Suited connectors |
High (implied odds) |
Medium |
Low |
| Big pairs |
Standard |
High |
Premium |
| AK/AQ |
Very strong |
Strong |
Premium shove |
| Suited aces |
Good |
Decent |
Shove value |
SPR measures commitment level:
| SPR |
Commitment Level |
Strategy |
| >13 |
Low |
Can fold big hands |
| 6-13 |
Medium |
One pair decisions |
| 3-6 |
High |
Commit with TPTK |
| <3 |
Very high |
Can't fold top pair |
Formula: SPR = Effective Stack / Pot Size (postflop)
| Situation |
Stack Strategy |
| Can rebuy |
Play for value |
| Fixed buy-in |
Manage stack |
| Deep tables |
Look for set mining spots |
| Situation |
Stack Strategy |
| Early (deep) |
Accumulate chips |
| Middle |
Preserve stack |
| Bubble (short) |
Survive or shove |
| Final table |
ICM adjustments |
Stack depth changes everything. Deep stacks favor speculative hands and postflop play. Short stacks are about push/fold and preflop all-ins. Know your stack depth and adjust your hand selection and strategy accordingly.