150bb Push Fold

Overview

150bb Push Fold is an advanced poker concept that extends the traditional push/fold strategy—usually applied to short stacks of 10-20 big blinds—to deep stacks of around 150 big blinds. This approach is not about literally playing all hands as shove or fold; rather, it refers to a game theory optimal (GTO) or exploitative adjustment where, under certain conditions, the only two actions considered are a large overbet all-in or a fold, ignoring standard raises and calls. The strategy is most common in tournament poker, particularly near the money bubble or at final tables, where ICM pressure makes marginal spots critical.

Context and Application

In normal deep-stack play, players use a range of bet sizes. However, in specific situations—such as when an opponent has a capped range or is overly tight—a 150bb all-in can exploit their tendency to fold too often. This concept is also studied in ICM training tools where push/fold charts extend to deep stacks for high-pressure spots. The "150bb" figure is a benchmark; similar principles apply at 100bb, 200bb, etc. The strategy relies on the fact that a massive overbet denies opponents implied odds and forces them to make tough decisions against your polarized range.

Strategic Considerations

• ICM Pressure: In tournaments, a 150bb push may be optimal when stacks are deep but the payout jump is large. Folding too much becomes costly, and shoving with a balanced range can be profitable.
• Opponent Tendencies: Use 150bb push fold against opponents who overfold to large bets. If they call wide, revert to standard sizing.
• Range Construction: Typically, the pushing range includes strong value hands (e.g., AA, KK, AKs) and bluffs with good blockers or drawing potential. The exact range depends on position, opponents, and ICM math.
• Exploitation vs. GTO: While GTO solutions sometimes include deep-stack shoves from certain positions, most 150bb push/fold spots are exploitative. Solvers show that push/fold can be GTO in late position against certain stack distributions.

Example

At a final table with 150bb effective stacks, the cutoff opens 2.5x. You are in the big blind with AQs. Instead of 3-betting small, you consider shoving 150bb. If the cutoff folds a high percentage to large all-ins (due to ICM fear), shoving becomes profitable despite the deep stack.

Limitations

Using 150bb push/fold as a default is suboptimal. Standard play with smaller raises and balanced ranges is generally better. Reserve this strategy for specific opponents or ICM scenarios where folding equity is maximized.

Related Terms

• ICM (Independent Chip Model)
• Push/Fold Charts
• Overbet
• Exploitative Strategy
• GTO (Game Theory Optimal)