Leader
The leader is the player with the most chips in a tournament or at a table. He can apply pressure to the others with his big stack.
The simple explanation
The chip leader has the biggest stack. He can bet more and force short stacks to take risks.
A closer look
A leader should use his stack to put pressure on medium stacks, and avoid taking big risks against other large stacks. The leader controls the game's pace. Smaller stacks wait for a good spot to challenge him.
A practical example
At the final table, a player has 40 percent of the chips and is the leader.
Full explanation
The leader is the player with the most chips in a tournament or at a table. He can apply pressure to the others with his big stack.
The leader has the most chips.
He can pressure others.
He should avoid big risks.
Small stacks wait for a spot.
Which player has the most chips?
No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake
A started with 200 chips, more than D’s 100, B’s 40 or C’s 20. A is the chip leader. Having the most chips does not guarantee winning the next hand.
Read the example transcript
- Preflop · Pot: 3 chips
A started with 200 chips, more than D’s 100, B’s 40 or C’s 20. A is the chip leader. Having the most chips does not guarantee winning the next hand.
- Player A BTN AAce of clubs (Ac)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 200 · In this round 0
- Player B SB KKing of hearts (Kh)JJack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 39 · In this round 1
- Player C BB 99 of clubs (9c)99 of hearts (9h) · Stack 18 · In this round 2
- Player D CO 77 of hearts (7h)66 of hearts (6h) · Stack 100 · In this round 0
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.