Double Up

Double up refers to a situation in a poker game where a player doubles their chip stack in a single hand. This term is often used in both tournament and cash game scenarios, across all possible poker variants.

Understanding the Double Up

In poker, to double up means to increase your chip stack by an amount equal to its current total. This usually happens when a player with a smaller stack goes all-in and is called by a player with a larger stack. If the player with the smaller stack wins, they double their chips. The exact amount of chips won can vary depending on the game's blinds and the number of chips the other players have.

Impact of Double Up on Game Strategy

Doubling up can drastically change a player's position in the game. A successful double up can take a player from a vulnerable position to a strong one. Conversely, a failed attempt to double up can result in a player losing all their chips and being knocked out of the game. Therefore, the decision to attempt a double up should be made carefully, considering factors like the strength of one's hand, the behaviour of the other players, and one's position at the table.

Example of a Double Up

Let's say you're playing in a poker tournament and you have 500 chips. You decide to go all-in and another player with 1000 chips decides to call. The cards are dealt and you win the hand. You've now doubled your stack to 1000 chips. This is a classic example of a double up.

• "After a successful double up, Sarah went from being the short stack to one of the chip leaders."
• "John decided to go all-in, hoping to double up and get back in the game."
• "With her last few chips, Mary attempted to double up against the chip leader."