ICM  = Independent Chip Model not all chips are equal

In poker, the Independent Chip Model (ICM) is a mathematical model used to calculate a player’s overall equity in a tournament. The model uses stack sizes alone to determine how often a player will finish in each position (1st, 2nd, etc.). A player’s probability of finishing in each position is then multiplied by the prize amount for that position and those numbers are added together to determine the player’s overall equity.

ICM Factors to be aware of:

Size of your stack

  1. Size of your opponents stack
  2. Payout structure

Punish opponents by making your bets a potential ICM disaster should they go bust.