Poker glossary · Tournaments
What does “chip leader” mean in poker?
Also called: big stack हिन्दी में पढ़ें
Definition
Chip leader: The chip leader is the player with the most chips in a tournament, or at a single table, at a given moment.
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A big stack can apply pressure because calling them risks an opponent’s whole tournament. Chip leaders often open wider, especially near the bubble. Being chip leader does not guarantee a win, and careless calls can still cost you the lead quickly. Medium stacks, who have the most to lose, are often the best targets.
Example: With 10 players left, the chip leader has 400,000 chips while the average is 150,000, so they can raise often and put others to tough decisions.
Related terms
- Final tableThe final table is the last table in a multi-table tournament, formed when all the remaining players can fit at a single table.
- ICM (Independent Chip Model)A model that converts tournament chip stacks into each player’s share of the remaining prize pool.
- BubbleThe point in a tournament just before the prize places start.