ICMIZER: make better decisions when pay jumps matter
Calling with 18 big blinds has different implications early in a tournament and with four players left. ICMIZER helps explain those differences: study preflop decisions, see the impact of stacks and payouts, then practise recurring tournament situations.
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From chips to tournament payouts
ICM, the Independent Chip Model, estimates a stack’s value using the chips held by all players and the payout structure. Doubling your chips therefore does not necessarily double your estimated share of the prize pool.
Chip EV
Think in chips
The calculation compares the chips a decision earns on average. It is a useful first view of how a hand works.
ICM
Account for pay jumps
The calculation places the hand within the payout structure. Other players’ stacks become essential, even if those players are not involved in the hand.
This makes ICMIZER particularly valuable on the bubble and at final tables: you can see why two similar hands can lead to different choices.
Analyse, review and repeat
ICMIZER
The preflop calculator
Import a hand or reconstruct a spot to explore shoving and calling ranges. Adjust opposing ranges and observe how your decision changes.
MTT Coach
Push/fold training
Previously called SNG Coach, it provides exercises for different formats and stages of a tournament. Repeating the decisions helps you recognise situations more readily.
Replayer
Review your hand histories
Replay tournament hands and send interesting preflop decisions to the calculator. It connects the session you have just played with the study that follows.
What about bounty tournaments?
KO and PKO formats are supported. Enter bounties alongside stacks: the value of an elimination changes the analysis. A regular tournament and a PKO therefore need different configurations.
Four players left: would you call the shove?
You are in the big blind with 18 BB. The first two players fold and the chip leader shoves from the small blind. Before opening the software, write down the hands you think you would call with.
Fictional teaching example · no bounties
UTG
12 BB
Button
25 BB
Small blind
45 BB
You · BB
18 BB
Stacks before forced bets · blinds 0.5 / 1 BB · no ante in this exercise. Payouts: €1,000, €650, €420 and €300.
- 01Enter all four stacks, payouts and actions: UTG and button fold, small blind shoves.
- 02Run the ICM analysis and compare the suggested calling range with your initial answer.
- 03Change UTG’s stack from 12 to 3 BB and the small blind’s from 45 to 54 BB. Recalculate: the total chips stay the same, but one player is now much closer to elimination.
- 04Return to the original situation and change the small blind’s shoving range. Watch which hands change category in your calling range.
The aim is to understand differences between configurations. This scenario is an exercise to reproduce in the software, rather than a precomputed calling range.
A good review starts with context
Tournament structure
Select the correct format and payouts. Add the required bounties for KO or PKO.
Every stack
Check stacks, blinds and antes. At a final table, the shortest stack can change whether a call between two other players is attractive.
Actions and ranges
Reconstruct the preflop sequence, then examine opposing ranges. Compare several assumptions when the player’s profile gives you reason to.
A reusable conclusion
Record what explains the decision: a nearby pay jump, a very short stack or a tight shoving range. You retain a principle, rather than only one hand’s result.
Start simply, then choose your pace
Free
Explore the calculator
One ICMIZE calculation per day after creating an account. Enough to get familiar with a situation and how ranges are displayed.
Basic
Analyse your hands
Use the preflop calculator in your reviews. The logical choice if studying your own decisions is your main aim.
PRO
Add regular practice
Combine the calculator, MTT Coach and Replayer. A plan suited to a routine of reviews and exercises.
The seven-day trial
The trial lets you explore a paid plan. It converts to the selected subscription when it ends unless you cancel from the Subscription menu. If you are also new to ICM, begin with Free and the tutorials before choosing a more complete plan.
Subscriptions are available monthly, quarterly and annually. Nitro and the Coach mobile extension are PRO add-ons: choose according to your analysis volume and whether you want to study on your phone.
Keep the bigger tournament picture in view
Explore further with a drill
ICMIZER provides precise guidance for preflop study. Tournament development also involves postflop play, managing different stack depths and a schedule suited to your bankroll.
Frequently asked questions
Is ICMIZER worthwhile for MTT players?
Yes, especially if you regularly study short-stack preflop decisions, bubbles and final tables. It connects a hand with its tournament context, then lets you practise those situations with the Coach in PRO.
Can I start for free?
Free includes one ICMIZE calculation per day after account creation. A seven-day trial also lets you explore a paid plan; it converts to the chosen subscription unless cancelled before the trial ends.
What is the difference between Basic and PRO?
Basic provides the preflop calculator. PRO adds Replayer and MTT Coach, the training tool previously called SNG Coach. PRO is especially useful if you want to combine hand analysis with regular exercises.
Does ICMIZER analyse PKO tournaments too?
Yes, ICMIZER supports progressive knockout tournaments. Select the appropriate format and enter bounties: they change the value of eliminating an opponent and the decision being studied.
Can I use ICMIZER for postflop?
ICMIZER focuses on preflop decisions. Replayer can replay an entire hand, but the calculator remains a preflop tool. GTO Wizard is a useful complement for studying play after the flop.