A big stack doesn’t necessarily mean a strong stack in poker
Any poker player can have a great advantage in his or her game by knowing the concept of effective stack sizes and this concept could be a real money saver. Particularly for Texas Hold’em Poker, it doesn’t matter what type of game you preferred playing – cash games, multi-table tournaments, sit-and-go’s – this concept can be used effectively. Understanding stack sizes will go a long way in differentiating a winner from a loser.
An effective stack size represents the maximum amount between two poker players that can be won or lost in one hand. It can be seen in terms of big blinds or dollars depending on what is the game, but it only applies to scenarios in which the structure is set on no maximum capacity, like No-Limit or Pot-Limit Omaha. Any fixed poker table already sets the maximum amount of money that can be wagered in one single hand. So, determining the effective stack size will give the player an idea of the number of hands that can, and should be played – it will give players real options to act during a hand.
When the number of effective stacks is too short, the best and only way to go, besides folding, would be to go all-in. By not doing so, the opponent could have the odds to make the call and even shove over you if they have more chips. Another possibility could be that the opponent is so short on his or her stack, too, that he could call any bet no matter the hand they have.
Effective stacks are useful also to figure out how much fold equity can a player has, which determines the options within a hand. It is most useful during short stack situations in which players are, most likely, forced to gamble. It is always a good idea to consider effective stacks, as they can be a part of nearly every situation in poker.
