Bubble Pressure
Bubble pressure is the pressure a player, especially a short stack, feels when close to the money in a tournament.
The simple explanation
Bubble pressure is the pressure a player feels, especially a short stack, as a tournament nears the money. If you are one or two players away from the prizes, every decision seems to carry extra weight, because losing a hand means leaving with nothing.
A closer look
The effect is strategic as well as psychological. Players with medium stacks fold hands they would call with at other stages, and players with big stacks raise more often to take advantage. The right response depends on your stack: a short stack may have to take a risk to stay alive, and a big stack can use the pressure. Understanding how ICM values chips helps decide when to gamble and when to wait.
A practical example
A short stack folds a decent hand near the bubble because busting would mean no prize.
Full explanation
Bubble pressure is the pressure a player, especially a short stack, feels when close to the money in a tournament.
Bubble pressure refers to the pressure that a poker player, especially a short stack, feels when nearing the money of a tournament. Being one or two players away from a payout is stressful.
Many players tighten up. They fold hands they would play at other times, because the cost of busting is large.
Big stacks can use bubble pressure to raise more often. Players with short stacks must look for a good spot to double up.
The pressure ends when the bubble bursts and the remaining players are all in the money.