When To Shove? The Perfect Short-Stack Strategy

Jonathan Little
11 Jun 2025
Intermediate
This material is for medium-skilled players
Strategy

Learn the optimal short-stack tournament strategy from poker coach Jonathan Little. Discover when to shove all-in vs min-raise with 12-20 big blinds, how position affects your ranges, and why most players mess up short-stack play.

Position determines shove frequency. Early position requires tighter ranges. Late position allows wider all-ins. Use three actions: fold, min-raise, shove.

Essential Short-Stack Fundamentals:

  • Don't play overly aggressive or wait for premium hands when short-stacked
  • Use three actions with 12-20BB: fold, min-raise to 2BB, or shove all-in
  • Early position requires much tighter shoving ranges than late position
  • Min-raise with hands you'll call off with or raise-fold combinations
  • Shove hands too good to fold but not strong enough to min-raise
  • Against tight raisers, call more often instead of shoving light
  • Attack loose raisers aggressively with wider shoving ranges
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