Most poker players don't think they need to study ICM until they make a costly mistake at a big final table - don't be one of those players.
The Independent Chip Model (ICM) is the most important strategy concept in multi table tournaments, yet very few players understand it, other than knowing they should play tighter on the bubble. Not only does ICM impact the single biggest monetary decisions you make in poker, it also influences everything in a tournament from game selection, staking, when to register, playing the early levels, the bubble, the final table and much more.
Endgame Poker Strategy is the first book to take a deep dive into the subject of ICM and how it impacts how you should play in tournaments. This book contains groundbreaking insights that most professional poker players are not aware of, including:
- How to adjust your play in the late stages of tournaments
- When to ladder and when to play for the win
- How to negotiate profitable final table deals
- The optimal game selection, rebuy and late registration strategies
- How to play short, average and big stacks at the end of tournaments
Dara O'Kearney is a professional poker player, sponsored Unibet Pro and co-host of The Chip Race Podcast. He is regarded as one of the best satellite grinders in the world and professional poker players seek out his advice on ICM whenever they prepare for a big final table. He is the co-author of the best selling books Poker Satellite Strategy and PKO Poker Strategy.
"In an era of solvers and preflop charts, game states involving ICM pressure remain one of the few unsolved and untapped areas of poker. Endgame Poker Strategy does an excellent job of clearly explaining the most important ICM ideas and effects. Whether you are a beginning player looking to build an understanding of how ICM works, or a more advanced player looking to better internalise ICM concepts, there is something in this book for you." - Daniel Dvoress, high stakes poker player