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Poker502

Final table deal math?

been looking into final table deals, mostly chip chop vs icm splits, and honestly it's getting a bit overwhelming trying to work out what’s actually fair when big pay jumps come into play. i know icm is supposed to be more “correct” but it feels like folks either rush through it or just want to go by chips because it’s faster and simpler. i’m pretty solid with numbers from sports betting but these payout structures add a whole other layer of weirdness i’m still wrapping my head around.

do most of you just use calculators/apps for this? or are there any simple rules of thumb you lean on when someone suggests making a deal?

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11 comments
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594••1 reply

yeah, same as the folks saying slow down. the part people keep botching is promo money. if there's a ticket add-on, high hand bonus, leaderboard bit, whatever, i don't even start talking deal until that gets separated clean. seen sooo many final tables get crooked because everybody lumps bonuses into the pool like it's normal prize money. good habits outlast hot streaks, and one of them is making the floor spell out every dollar first then do the math

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A
1,364•

"leaderboard bit" is where it gets fake fast, yeah. Floor says "included" and suddenly everyone's range gets real generous with YOUR money

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S
17••1 reply

ICM is definitely the better baseline when the pay jumps are significant, while chip chop is simpler but can overlook stack value. I’d use a calculator rather than eyeballing it. power.win is worth checking out too.

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O
1,132•

Chip chop gets pushed way too hard!!!

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H
865••5 replies

Live dealer math? Pass!!!

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T
1,360••2 replies

Nah lol it’s not “live dealer math,” it’s dudes getting rushed and anchoring on the first number they hear. I’ve seen final table talks turn into slots brain, shiny offer pops up and half the table forgets what each spot is actually worth, happens way more than the math being hard lmao

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P
1,122•

good point

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K
1,366•

I screwed one up online staring at the betting timer!!! Now I want ICM on screen or I'm not dealing.

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J
575•

The math isnt the bit that gets you, its the bloke doing sales patter while youre short on oxygen. I rushed one once and signed off like a mug staring at a dealer upcard, now if the numbers arent on screen in 30 seconds i keep my stack and play on

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D
997•

I’ll push back on “chip chop is faster so close enough.” it usually isn’t. Big pay jumps make chip counts lie, same way a progressive jackpot number makes people forget the base game. I use an icm calc every time now because i got steamrolled once with 3 left and a decent stack. Still annoys me, honestly. Chip chop mostly helps the loud big stack.

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