Dead Money
What Does Dead Money Mean in Poker?
“Dead Money” refers to chips in the pot that have been contributed by players who have already folded or are unlikely to win. It can also describe a player who is participating in a game but is considered to have little chance of winning. Learn more about online poker and strategies to avoid being dead money.
When You Might Hear Or Use The Term Dead Money:
Dead money is often mentioned in situations where a pot has been built up by multiple players, but one or more of them have folded, leaving their contributions in the pot. It can also be used to describe a weaker player in a tournament who is unlikely to survive the next few rounds.
In-Game Example:
Imagine a multiway pot where three players have called a pre-flop raise. On the flop, two players fold to a bet, leaving their chips as dead money, making it more enticing for the remaining players to contest the pot.
Strategy / Tips:
- Best Practice: Target pots with significant dead money, as they offer additional value with less risk.
- Common Mistake: Misjudging dead money situations by overestimating your chances against the remaining opponents.
- Pro Tips: Recognize when a player is dead money in a tournament and adjust your strategy to exploit their weaknesses.
- Differences playing over the table vs online: Online players might rely more on stats to identify dead money, while live players can use physical tells and table dynamics.
Alternative Names:
Sometimes referred to as “dead chips” or “dead stack.”
FAQs:
Q: Is dead money always a negative term?
A: Not necessarily. While it can describe a weaker player, it also highlights opportunities for skilled players to accumulate chips.
