final-table

Final table (FT) is the stage when a tournament reaches its last table — typically 9 or fewer players. This is the highest-stakes, highest-pressure, most ICM-affected portion of the event.

Detailed Explanation

Final-table ICM characteristics:

1. Dense pay jumps: every elimination bumps every remaining player up one tier
2. Huge gap to first: typical MTT first prize is 1.5-2× the runner-up and 2.5-3× third place
3. Every decision has large $EV impact: total remaining prize pool is concentrated among a few

Strategic adjustments at the final table:

• Short stack (< 15bb): mostly push/fold; start considering pay-jump effects on call ranges
• Medium stack (20-40bb): conservative accumulation, avoid big variance, wait for big stacks to clash
• Big stack (50bb+): reasonable bullying of medium stacks, but don't lightly attack short stacks (their call range approaches chipEV)
• Even table (all stacks similar): closer to chipEV thinking, but still slightly tight

Heads-up (last two):

• Top two payouts already locked
• Remaining play approaches chipEV (linear)
• The first/second prize gap is usually a fixed proportion of the prize pool

Common Use Cases

• 9-handed FT start: deepest ICM pressure, most decisions are conservative
• 6-handed transition: pay jumps accelerate, short stacks gain aggression value
• 3-handed: large pull from the first prize raises aggression, but it's still not chipEV
• Heads-up: essentially returns to chipEV
• Deal-making: FT is the most common stage for prize negotiations