Bubble is a specific stage in a multi-table tournaments and Sit-n-Go poker tournaments, when the next eliminated player will be the last one not getting into the pay zone (ITM). In other words, that’s the highest place in the tournament without the prize money expected. For example, if at any given tournament there are 100 players getting into the money, 101st place will be considered a bubble.

The name bubble means, that when it bursts, all the remaining players in the tournament have already guaranteed themselves a minimum payout.

Bubble is one of the most important stages of the tournament, when you should play extremely careful, to at least being able to recoup your buy-in. The player, eliminated on bubble, is called bubble-boy.

Example: “I have been dealt good cards, but as the bubble had started in tournament, I had to play tighter. So I’ve decided to make a fold”.