Hand parameters
EV without bounty
Expected value of the call using only chips, as if it were a normal MTT without knockout.
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EV with bounty
Expected value of the call by adding the mathematical value of the bounty. It shows you if the knockout changes the decision.
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bounty Breakdown
bounty in bb equivalents: —
What it means: how many extra bb does the bounty add to the spot for calculation.
Breakeven reduction: —
What it means: how much the minimum equity necessary is lowered thanks to the bounty.
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Hero — chose your 2 cards
Exact combo selection, card by card. When you choose 2 cards, they are automatically blocked for the opposing range.
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Villain — range complete
13x13 solver style matrix. Each cell represents a class of hands: pairs, suited or offsuit. You can paint the range by hand and then calculate the preflop equity against all that range.
Slide the matrix if it is not complete. You can also use the arrow keys on the keyboard.
Hero equity
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Valid rival combos
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Simulations
5000
Practical tuning of ranges
Ratio bounty / buy-in
Setting approx.
Practical reading
< 10%
+2–3%
Small impact. It looks quite similar to a normal MTT.
10–25%
+5–8%
Start justifying wider calls against covered stacks.
25–50%
+10–15%
The bounty already distorts the spot strongly and changes many folds for calls.
> 50%
+15–20%
The bounty weighs a lot. In certain spots the decision completely dominates.
Rule of thumb
I first converted the bounty to bb equivalents. Then compare how breakeven's equity changes. If the drop is large, your call call may open much more than you would in a freezeout.
Classic ICM
Penalizes the risk of elimination. Near important cash jumps, it forces you to fold more even if the chip spot seems acceptable.
Adjusted PKO
Add the expected value of the bounty. In some spots, that bounty can offset some of the risk and transform a theoretical fold into a profitable call.
Tournament phases
Phase
Weight of bounty
Practical reading
Home
Medium
bounty matters, but it still dominates token accumulation more.
Middle stage
High
Many spots are beginning to appear where covering the rival changes the math.
Bubble / FT
Very high, but next to ICM
It's not enough to just look at the bounty. You have to cross it with the cost of busting.
Heads-up
Maximum
The bounty becomes a central part of the total EV of the matchup.