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ICM fold too tight?

ICM always throws me off when it comes to these tight folds, especially late in tourneys. I get the math and all, but sometimes it feels like I'm leaving chips on the table just folding hands that would be easy calls in cash games. It’s like the fear of busting bubbles creeps in more than it probably should, but I see folks making crazy laydowns and wondering if it’s overkill or if that’s just standard.

I mostly come from a blackjack and betting background so maybe my instincts are off, but I always think long-term - sometimes taking a shot is better for your stack and mental game. Do you just trust the numbers blindly or do you let your gut influence you a little? Seems like there’s a fine line between solid discipline and missing out on value. Curious how others walk it.

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Discussion — 4 comments

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4 comments
R
5,404

Wait, blackjack bg?! Lol

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O
1,242

"mental game" gets used way too much in poker, half the time it's just tilt with better branding!!!

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A
627

Nah, “folding too tight” in ICM spots usually means you’re still thinking in chip EV, that’s the whole leak. The nuance is your calling range gets wrecked way harder than your jamming range late, people miss that and act like every ugly fold is fear when it’s just standard tbh

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G
378

Nah, people overdo ICM and act like folding is holy, it's not. I punt less in Roulette than when I folded AQ from small blind on a soft bubble, STILL annoyed.

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