Poker term
Short stack
A stack that is small relative to the blinds — in tournaments usually under about 20 big blinds — or, in cash games, a player who buys in for the table minimum.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a short stack?
Usually under about twenty big blinds, with play becoming push/fold around ten to fifteen. It is always measured against the blinds, not in raw chips.
What is the biggest short-stack mistake?
Waiting too long. Below about ten big blinds your all-in stops making anyone fold, and once you have lost that fold equity the stack is far harder to rebuild. Moving while you can still make opponents pass is the whole point.