Due to the format of Spin & Go tournaments, our stack size will determine the playability of our hand. As our effective stack size decreases, we should be raising, calling and going all-in with more hands. However, if our effective stack increases, it will allow us to play tighter.
So what’s the best way to know the effective stack at any given time? Well, the effective stack is determined by the player with the smallest stack currently in play in a heads-up situation. If we’re in a 3-handed pot, the effective stack is the second largest chip stack. Very simple.
EXAMPLE SITUATION
Now, let’s take a look at an example. If we have 5,000 chips in the Big Blind and the Small Blind has 2,000, then the extra 3,000 in chips does nothing for us because we are only playing for the 2,000 chips that the Small Blind has in front of him. However, if the Button has 500 chips and goes all-in and the Small Blind has 2,000 chips and calls, the effective stack is still 2,000 since we have the Small Blind covered. On the other hand, if the Button goes all-in and the Small Blind folds, the effective stack is now 500.
QUIZ
Take what you’ve learned above about effective stack size and apply it when answering the following questions. The answers can be found below the banner. No cheating!
Questions:
- It’s 20/40 blinds and you have 200 chips on the BTN. Both blinds have you covered and you shove. What is the effective stack size?
- The BTN shoves with 300 chips and you have 400 chips in the BB. The SB folds. What are effective stacks?
- The BTN shoves with 250 chips and the SB re-shoves with 450. You have both players covered. What are effective stacks?
- 200 chips/5BBs
- 300 chips
- 450 chips
