Poker term
Min-cash
The smallest payout in a tournament, paid to the last players to get in the money — typically about one and a half to two times the buy-in.
Frequently asked questions
What is a min-cash?
The smallest prize in a tournament, paid to the players who finish at the bottom of the money places. It is often only slightly above the buy-in.
Is playing for a min-cash a good strategy?
Rarely. Tournament prize pools are concentrated at the top, so folding into a min-cash sacrifices the chance at the places that actually pay. It can be correct in satellites and in big ICM spots, not as a default.