ITM
What Does ITM Mean in Poker?
ITM stands for ‘In The Money’. It refers to the situation in a poker tournament where a player has progressed far enough to win a prize, typically after reaching a specific cutoff point.
When You Might Hear Or Use The Term ITM:
You might hear “ITM” during a tournament when players are discussing reaching the payout stages. It’s commonly mentioned when calculating the tournament’s prize pool distribution or determining the bubble phase.
In-Game Example:
In a $100 buy-in tournament with 100 entries, the top 15 players might be in the money. When the 16th player is eliminated, the remaining players are considered ITM and will receive a portion of the prize pool.
Strategy / Tips:
- Best Practice: Focus on chip accumulation before the bubble so you can play more aggressively once ITM.
- Common Mistake: Playing too conservatively just to make it ITM, which can reduce your chances of a deeper run.
- Pro Tips: Once ITM, adjust your strategy to exploit other players who are just happy to cash and may play too tightly.
Alternative Names:
“In the money” is commonly used, but there aren’t many alternative names for ITM.
FAQs:
Q: What is the “bubble” in a tournament?
A: The “bubble” is the stage right before ITM, where the next elimination determines who will win a prize.
Q: Does being ITM guarantee a significant profit?
A: Not necessarily. Often, the initial ITM positions just cover the buy-in; significant profits are usually in the top positions.
