In poker, the bubble is the stage in a tournament where only one more player needs to be eliminated before everyone left is guaranteed a payout. It’s the most intense and stressful part of the game because no one wants to bust just before the money.
The player who gets eliminated on the bubble is said to have “bubbled”—they leave empty-handed, while the remaining players secure at least the minimum cash prize.
During the bubble, strategy shifts. Short stacks tighten up, hoping to survive, while big stacks become aggressive, exploiting the pressure on others. This period is key for building a stack if you play it well.
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