Playing against short stacks in cash games
Some cash-game players buy in short — 20 to 40 big blinds — and play an all-in-heavy style. Playing against them is different from playing deep-stacked opponents. See short stack cash strategy.
What changes
Section titled “What changes”- The effective stack is short, so your implied odds against them are small. See effective stack.
- They often 3-bet all in or shove over raises with strong hands and good draws.
- Post-flop, the SPR is low: top pair is often good enough to get it in. See SPR.
Opening against a short stack behind you
Section titled “Opening against a short stack behind you”- Tighten up a little if a short stack likes to re-shove: hands that must fold to a shove lose value.
- Raise smaller to risk less when they re-shove.
- Avoid opening speculative hands (small pairs, suited gappers) that can’t call a shove. See implied odds.
Facing their raises and shoves
Section titled “Facing their raises and shoves”| Situation | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| They open-raise | 3-bet strong hands for value; they’ll often shove or call |
| They shove | Call with hands that have good equity vs their range: pairs, strong aces, broadways. See all-in decisions |
| Post-flop with top pair | Usually get it in |
Use your deeper stack
Section titled “Use your deeper stack”Your deeper stack matters against other deep players at the table, not against the short stack. Don’t play big pots with marginal hands just because you “can afford it”. See table dynamics.
Common mistakes
Section titled “Common mistakes”- Calling raises with small pairs for set value against a short stack.
- Folding strong hands to shoves because “they’re always all in”.
- Bluffing short stacks who are committed anyway. See pot committed.
How should I play against short stacks in cash games?
Section titled “How should I play against short stacks in cash games?”Tighten up a little, raise smaller, avoid speculative hands and call their shoves with hands that have good equity.
Should I play small pairs against a short stack?
Section titled “Should I play small pairs against a short stack?”Usually not for set value; the implied odds are too small.
What hands can call a short stack’s shove?
Section titled “What hands can call a short stack’s shove?”Hands with good equity against their range: pairs, strong aces and broadways.
Should I bluff short stacks?
Section titled “Should I bluff short stacks?”Rarely; they are often committed and will call.