Short stack
A chip stack much smaller than the average at the table.
In depth
In poker, a short stack describes a player’s chip count that is substantially smaller than the table average. This stack size reduces strategic options, as the limited chips constrain actions like bluffing or absorbing variance. The term contrasts with a deep stack, where a player holds a larger number of big blinds. Short-stacked play often focuses on stack-to-pot ratios, particularly in tournaments, where decisions may center on push-fold dynamics.
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