What is the independent chip model?

[Julio88]

The Independent Chip Model (ICM) is a mathematical model used in poker tournaments to calculate a player's overall equity based on the stack sizes of the remaining opponents and the payout structure of the tournament .Essentially, ICM converts chip stacks into monetary equity. This helps players to make more informed decisions, such as whether to call, fold, or go all-in during a particular hand. ICM calculations take into account factors such as the size of the tournament payouts, stack sizes, and the number of players remaining in the tournament.

 

[Lazza]

In tournament settings, the value of chips is nonlinear, in contrast to cash games where they have a linear value. As the blinds and antes rise, losing a portion of your stack can have a more noticeable effect on your overall tournament equity.

 

[emmanuel1]

the independent chip model looks at each player chips alone not the total prize. It helps players make smart choices based on their chip count, guiding them to better decisions for winning the tournament.