Folding pocket kings because you're scared of the bubble is throwing away the best hand you'll be dealt all night. Yes, ICM says dump your junk here — but Kings crushes every hand that could call you. This is exactly the spot you've been waiting for.

KK from SB with 12bb — push or fold?

Q: KK from SB with 12bb — push or fold?

Push. The bubble makes you cautious, and that's correct — with a short stack about to bust, you fold marginal hands you'd normally play. But that logic never touches Kings. This is the second-best hand in poker; you're crushing anything that calls, and most of the time everyone folds and you win the blinds for free. Folding here out of bubble fear would be a disaster. Shove all-in and be happy if someone calls. Push.

The answer

Push

all-in

The math: 12bb · fold your trash on the bubble, never your monsters. Kings is an auto-jam.

Why

The bubble makes you cautious, and that's correct — with a short stack about to bust, you fold marginal hands you'd normally play. But that logic never touches Kings. This is the second-best hand in poker; you're crushing anything that calls, and most of the time everyone folds and you win the blinds for free. Folding here out of bubble fear would be a disaster. Shove all-in and be happy if someone calls. Push.

The spot

POT · 3,000

preflop

Folded to you, bubble, 4 left

K♠

K♦

1,000 / 2,000 · 12bb

Your seat: SB
Stakes and stacks: 1,000 / 2,000 · 12bb
Your hand: K♠ K♦
Board: Preflop — no board yet
Pot: POT · 3,000
Action on you: Folded to you, bubble, 4 left

Every option

Foldkeep your stack
Why not: Folding pocket kings because you're scared of the bubble is throwing away the best hand you'll be dealt all night. Yes, ICM says dump your junk here — but Kings crushes every hand that could call you. This is exactly the spot you've been waiting for.
Pushall-inCorrect

The idea behind it

ICM — the tournament-payout math — makes you tighten up near the money, folding marginal hands so you don't bust before a shorter stack does. But that discipline only applies to close spots. Premium hands like Aces and Kings still jam every time; you're simply too far ahead to fold.

Concept: Monsters still jam

See the glossary Read the methodology

Terms in this spot

All-in ICM

Play it instead of reading it

The trainer deals this hand with hints, grading and spaced repetition — and randomized variations of it once you have seen it.