Poker Stack Depth Calculator: Playing Your Stack Size

Stack depth fundamentally changes poker strategy. Our calculator measures effective stacks, converts to big blinds, and shows how deep or shallow stacks affect preflop ranges, postflop play, and commitment thresholds.

What Is Stack Depth?

Stack depth measures your chip amount relative to the blinds, typically expressed in big blinds (BB). Deep stacks (100bb+) allow postflop maneuvering; short stacks (20-40bb) force more preflop commitments. Effective stack is the smaller stack between you and opponent.

Quick Answer: Stack depth = your stack ÷ big blind. Effective stack = minimum of your stack and opponent's. 200bb = deep (complex postflop). 100bb = standard. 40bb = short (preflop focused). 20bb = push/fold. Strategy changes dramatically with depth. Deeper = more implied odds. Shallower = more preflop emphasis.

How to Use Our Calculator

Use the Stack Depth Calculator →

Enter stack sizes to analyze effective depth and strategic implications.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Enter Your Stack: Your chip count

2. Enter Opponent Stack: Their chips

3. Input Blind Level: Current blinds

4. View Effective Stack: The smaller stack

5. See Strategy Zone: Deep/standard/short

Input Fields Explained

Field	Description	Example
Your Stack	Your chips	$500
Opponent Stack	Their chips	$300
Big Blind	Current BB	$2
Your Depth	Your BBs	250bb
Opponent Depth	Their BBs	150bb
Effective Stack	Smaller	150bb
Strategy Zone	Play mode	Deep stack

Stack Depth Zones

Ultra Deep (200bb+)

Characteristics:
- Maximum postflop flexibility
- Implied odds extremely high
- Small pairs/suited connectors valuable
- Multiple street betting possible
- Big pots = big swings

Strategy adjustments:
- Wider speculative hands
- Set mining very profitable
- Position more important
- More bluffing opportunities

Deep (100-200bb)

Characteristics:
- Standard cash game depth
- Full postflop game possible
- Most training applies here
- Balanced ranges matter

Strategy adjustments:
- Standard opening ranges
- All hand types playable
- SPR calculations important
- Normal commitment thresholds

Standard (50-100bb)

Characteristics:
- Late tournament/some cash
- Postflop still matters
- Some stack pressure

Strategy adjustments:
- Tighter preflop slightly
- Less set mining with small pairs
- 3-bet/fold more common
- Pot commitment easier

Short (25-50bb)

Characteristics:
- Tournament common
- Preflop focus increases
- Postflop simpler
- All-in or fold common

Strategy adjustments:
- Much tighter opening
- 3-bet for value or fold
- SPR often <3 postflop
- Set mining marginal

Push/Fold (Under 25bb)

Characteristics:
- Push or fold only
- No calling ranges
- Charts determine action
- Pure math decisions

Strategy adjustments:
- Ignore postflop complexity
- Use push/fold charts
- Position dominates
- Ace-x becomes premium

Effective Stack Calculations

Why Effective Stack Matters

You: $500 (250bb)
Opponent: $100 (50bb)

Effective stack: $100 (50bb)

Why:
Can't win more than opponent has
Your extra $400 is irrelevant vs this opponent
Play as if you have 50bb

Deep stack strategies don't apply
Short stack math governs

Multi-Way Effective Stacks

You: $300
Opponent A: $500
Opponent B: $150

Effective vs A: $300
Effective vs B: $150

Against A: Deep stack play
Against B: Short stack play
Adjust by opponent

Tournament Considerations

Early stages:
- Stacks vary widely
- Calculate per opponent
- Some deep, some short

Late stages:
- Stacks compress
- Most are similar effective
- ICM affects decisions

Stack Depth Strategy Changes

Preflop Range Adjustments

By stack depth (opening UTG):

200bb: Top 12-15% (wider speculative)
100bb: Top 10-12% (standard)
50bb: Top 8-10% (tighter)
25bb: Top 6-8% (push range only)

Short = tighter
Deep = can add suited connectors

3-Bet Strategy Changes

Deep (100bb+):
3-bet value + bluffs (balanced)
Call 3-bets with implied odds hands
Flat AA/KK sometimes for deception

Short (40bb):
3-bet value heavy
4-bet all-in with premium
No flatting—commit or fold

Very short (20bb):
Push or fold only
No 3-betting to fold
All-in or nothing

Set Mining Profitability

Rule of thumb:
Need 15:1 implied odds for small pairs

200bb effective:
Can win 200bb for 15bb call
15:1+ implied odds ✓
Set mine freely

50bb effective:
Can win 50bb for 15bb call
~3:1 implied odds ✗
Fold small pairs usually

100bb effective:
Can win 100bb for 15bb call
~7:1, marginal
Depends on opponent tendencies

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Deep Stack Cash Game

Stacks: You $400, Villain $350 (175bb effective)

Preflop: You have 5♠5♥ UTG+1

Deep stack considerations:
- Set mining profitable (175bb potential)
- Can see flop cheaply
- Position matters more
- Speculative hand = playable

Action: Open raise $7
(Standard 3.5bb open)

Example 2: Tournament Short Stack

Stacks: You 28bb, Opponent 45bb (28bb effective)

Preflop: You have A♠J♦ in cutoff

Short stack considerations:
- No postflop maneuvering room
- Should be 3-bet or fold range
- AJ is strong short-stacked
- All-in gets folds or flips

Action: Raise to 2.2bb or shove
(Depends on table dynamics)

Example 3: Effective Stack Mismatch

You: 200bb, Villain: 35bb, You have TT

Villain opens 3bb, you in button

Effective: 35bb
Strategy: Short stack play

Options:
A) Call 3bb (implied odds limited)
B) 3-bet to 9bb (commits villain)
C) 3-bet all-in 35bb (fold equity + equity)

Best: 3-bet to ~9bb or shove
Can't play deep vs short stack

Example 4: Stack-to-Pot Ratio

Pot after flop: $30, Your stack: $100, Villain: $80

Effective remaining: $80
Pot: $30
SPR: $80 / $30 = 2.67

Low SPR implications:
- Easy to get all-in
- Top pair commits
- Big draws commit
- One bet often = pot committed

With top pair:
Bet-call or bet-shove
No folding likely

Common Mistakes

1. Ignoring Effective Stack

Mistake: Play your stack, not effective Problem: Deep strategy vs short stack Fix: Calculate effective before hand

2. Set Mining Short-Stacked

Mistake: 22 for 4bb with 35bb effective Problem: Can't win enough if hit Fix: Fold small pairs when shallow

3. Same Ranges All Depths

Mistake: Standard ranges at 25bb Problem: Postflop-heavy hands worthless Fix: Adjust by depth zone

4. Not Adjusting 3-Bet Size

Mistake: 3x 3-bet with 30bb effective Problem: Commits too much, can't fold Fix: Smaller 3-bets or shove short

Frequently Asked Questions

What's a good stack size for cash games?

100bb minimum, 150-200bb ideal. Allows full strategic flexibility. Rebuy when under 100bb.

How do I calculate effective stack in tournaments?

Look at opponent's stack, compare to yours, use smaller. For multi-way, calculate per opponent.

Should I adjust for stack depth preflop?

Yes. Tighten with short stacks, add speculative hands when deep. Stack depth changes entire approach.

When is set mining profitable?

Generally need 15:1+ implied odds. With 100bb effective and 7bb raise, you can win ~15× the call—marginal but playable.

What's the push/fold threshold?

Under 10bb is pure push/fold. 10-25bb uses push/fold with some raising. Above 25bb allows standard play.

Do effective stacks change mid-hand?

Yes. As pot grows, remaining effective stacks shrink. SPR (stack-to-pot ratio) changes on each street.

Pro Tips

• Know your zone: Deep/standard/short/push-fold

• Calculate effective: Before every significant pot

• Adjust ranges: Tighter short, wider deep

• Set mine deep only: 15:1 implied minimum

• SPR awareness: Commitment changes postflop

Related Calculators

• Poker SPR Calculator - Pot ratio
• Poker Pot Commitment Calculator - When committed
• Push/Fold Calculator - Short stack
• Poker Tournament Calculator - MTT stacks
• Poker Equity Calculator - Hand equity

Conclusion

Stack depth determines strategic approach—deep stacks enable complex postflop play while short stacks force preflop commitments. Our calculator measures effective stacks and shows how depth changes optimal play from range construction to bet sizing.

Calculate Stack Depth Now →

That 22 is playable with 200bb effective but a fold with 35bb behind. Our calculator reveals how stack depth transforms strategy, ensuring you're playing the right game for your chip situation.