Back to Upswing Poker Level-Up

Podcast Episode

WSOP 2026 Final Table: How Each Player Should Play (ICM Analysis)

Upswing Poker Level-Up·Upswing Poker·7 August 2026·24 min

About this episode

Use Code MTM100 and Get $100 Off the 'Modern Tournament Mastery' Course: https://upswingpoker.com/modern-tournament-mastery/ Which player at your final table has 35% of the chips but nowhere near 35% of the actual win equity? In this deep dive, you'll get the exact ICM-based strategy every WSOP Main Event finalist should be using at their stack size, so you can spot the mistakes the pros make before the money even changes hands. Get access to free preflop charts 👉 https://upswingpoker.com/preflop/ Get the Lucid Poker Trainer app for free 👉 https://lucidpoker.com/ Talk with Upswing Coaches & members 👉 https://discord.gg/TX765Y3FPa 00:00 Introduction & Final Table Preview 0:53 ICM Fundamentals Explained 2:35 Short Stack Strategy & Re-Shoves 6:55 Mid Stack Pressure & Seat Draws 8:44 Tough Positional Spots 9:02 Mixed Steal Opportunities 10:31 Position vs Chip Leader 12:35 Button Advantage 13:21 Third-Chip Squeeze 15:44 Handcuffed Second Place 18:05 Chip Leader's Strategy 21:24 ICM Mechanics Recap & Closing