What is Push/Fold in Poker?

Push/fold is a tournament strategy where you either move all-in or fold, used when your stack is too short to play postflop. It's not for cash games.

Push/fold is a simplified tournament strategy where your only actions are to move all-in or fold. It applies when your stack is so short that calling a raise or making a standard raise would commit too much of your stack, leaving you with no room to maneuver postflop. The goal is to exploit fold equity: the chance that your all-in bet forces opponents to fold, letting you win the blinds and antes without a showdown.

Push/fold is not a cash game strategy. In cash games, you can always rebuy, so risking your entire stack on a coin flip is rarely justified. It is also not for deep-stacked tournament play; when you have 30 big blinds or more, you have room to raise-fold or raise-call, and you should play a more nuanced game.

How to Use Push/Fold

Push/fold is typically used when your stack is around 15 big blinds or less. The exact threshold depends on the situation: your position, the tendencies of your opponents, and the stage of the tournament. The core idea is to calculate whether moving all-in is profitable based on the chance everyone folds plus your equity when called.

A common way to approach push/fold is to use push/fold charts, which tell you which hands to shove from each position given your stack size. These charts are based on the assumption that your opponents call with a reasonable range. For example, a typical chart might say that with 10 big blinds on the button, you should shove any pair, any ace, most kings, and some suited connectors. But these charts are starting points, not gospel.

Worked Tournament Example

Let's walk through a typical push/fold spot. You are in a tournament with 12 big blinds (12,000 chips with blinds at 500/1,000 and a 100 ante). You are on the button, and the action folds to you. The small blind is a tight player, and the big blind is loose. You look down at A♠7♦.

Should you shove? With 12 big blinds, you are in the push/fold zone. A push/fold chart might suggest shoving A7o from the button, because it has decent equity against most calling ranges and you have fold equity. If the blinds fold, you win 2,100 chips (blinds plus antes), which increases your stack by about 17%. If you get called, you are usually flipping or slightly behind, but the pot odds and fold equity make it profitable in the long run.

Now consider a counter-example: you are in the big blind with 8 big blinds (8,000 chips) and the action folds to the small blind, who shoves all-in for 15 big blinds. You look down at K♣5♦. Should you call? This is not a push/fold spot; it's a call decision. Your hand is weak, and you are likely dominated or flipping at best. You should fold, because calling with K5o is a losing play against a reasonable shoving range. Push/fold charts are for shoving, not for calling, and you need to evaluate your pot odds and your opponent's range.

Leaks on this tournament spot

• Shoving too tight from late position: Many players only shove premium hands when short, but that's a mistake. With 10 big blinds on the button, you need to shove a wide range to steal the blinds and antes. If you only shove QQ+ and AK, you'll blind out.
• Shoving too loose from early position: The opposite leak is shoving any ace or any two cards from under the gun. Early position shoves need to be much tighter because you have more players behind you who can call, and your fold equity is lower.
• Ignoring the ante size: In tournaments with antes, the pot you win when everyone folds is larger, so you can shove wider. Many players fail to adjust their shoving range when antes increase.
• Not adjusting to opponent tendencies: If the players behind you are calling stations, you should tighten your shoving range. If they are tight, you can shove wider. Push/fold charts assume average opponents, but you must adapt.
• Failing to consider ICM pressure: On the bubble or near pay jumps, your shoving range should tighten because the risk of busting is more costly. Many players shove too wide in these spots, risking their tournament life for a marginal gain.

When Not to Use Push/Fold

Push/fold is not for cash games, where you can always rebuy and should play for postflop value. It is also not for deep-stacked tournament play; with 30 big blinds or more, you should be raising and folding to a re-raise, or raising and calling a shove, depending on your hand and the situation. Additionally, if you are in a spot where you can raise and then fold to a re-raise without committing too much of your stack, you should do that instead of shoving. For example, with 20 big blinds, you can raise to 2.2 big blinds and fold to a shove, preserving your stack. Push/fold is a last resort, not a default.

Next Decision After Push/Fold

If you shove and everyone folds, you win the blinds and antes, and the hand is over. If you get called, you go to showdown and the best hand wins. If you lose, you are eliminated (unless you have a smaller stack than the caller, in which case you might survive with a side pot). If you win, you double up and are no longer in the push/fold zone, so you must switch back to normal play. If you fold, you wait for a better spot. The key is to be aware of your new stack size and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the push/fold strategy in poker?

Push/fold is a tournament strategy where you either move all-in or fold, used when your stack is too short to play postflop. It simplifies decisions and exploits fold equity.

When should I use push/fold?

Use push/fold when your stack is around 15 big blinds or less, especially in tournaments with antes. It's most effective from late position where you have more fold equity.

How do push/fold charts work?

Push/fold charts show which hands to shove from each position based on your stack size. They assume opponents call with a reasonable range and help you make profitable shoves.

Is push/fold used in cash games?

No, push/fold is not for cash games. In cash games, you can rebuy, so risking your entire stack on a coin flip is rarely justified. It's a tournament-specific strategy.