Guides · 4 November 2026
ICM deal: how to split the prizes at the final table
When the remaining players want to end the tournament by splitting the prizes, ICM tells you what each stack is really worth.
What it is
ICM (Independent Chip Model) estimates what each player's chips are worth in money, taking into account the prizes still to be awarded. It starts from a simple idea: the probability of winning the tournament is proportional to your chips. Then it calculates, the same way, the probability of finishing second, third and so on, and from these the expected value of each player.
Why splitting by chips is not enough
In a tournament the first prize is capped: the player with the most chips cannot win more than first prize, while a player with few chips is still guaranteed at least the last prize. That is why ICM gives the short stack a little more than the chips alone would, and the chip leader a little less.
Example with three players
Three players are left; the prizes still to award are €500, €300 and €200 (€1,000 in total).
| Player | Chips | ICM deal | Chip chop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anna | 50,000 | €383.93 | €400.00 |
| Bruno | 30,000 | €327.50 | €320.00 |
| Carla | 20,000 | €288.57 | €280.00 |
In the chip chop everyone gets the last prize (€200) and the rest (€400) is split in proportion to chips. ICM instead calculates the probability of each finishing position: Anna has a 50% chance of winning, but her stack is worth less than half of the prize pool.
How it is calculated
For each player, the probability of finishing first is their chips divided by the total. The probability of finishing second is found by assuming, in turn, that each of the others has won and repeating the calculation with the remaining chips. With more than three players the cases multiply quickly: that is why a calculator is used.
Tips for the deal
- Count the chips carefully before calculating.
- You can set aside a share (for example the league points or a small prize) for whoever actually wins, and keep playing.
- The deal must be accepted by all remaining players.
In BlindMaster you enter the chip counts and choose “ICM deal” or “Chip chop”: amounts are calculated to the cent.
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