Chip leader
The player with the most chips in a tournament, or at a particular table. Chip leaders apply ICM pressure and can afford to take marginal spots the rest of the field cannot.
Frequently asked questions
What is a chip leader in poker?
The player with the most chips in a tournament. Reporting usually means the overall leader across every table, while at the table the relevant lead is the biggest stack in your own game — the one that can actually put you all in.
How valuable is the chip lead?
Less than the raw numbers suggest. ICM means a stack twice the size is not worth twice as much in prize money, because the payout ladder is compressed at the top. It is a large edge in leverage, not a doubling of your equity.
How should a chip leader play?
Apply pressure where opponents cannot afford to call — against medium stacks facing elimination near a pay jump. The classic error is confusing that pressure with licence to gamble: the lead is only an asset while you still hold it.