[Bubble Phase] Should we be aggressive or conservative during the Bubble phase?

Key conclusion: Bubble = ICM (Internal Compression of Mutual Disequilibrium) - Maximum Stress Imbalance

During the bubble period:
1. Elimination = 0 prize money
2. Survival = at least making it into the money-making circle
3. Players are extremely unwilling to take risks.

This creates a large number of exploitable wrong decisions.

Three types of player mindsets (key)

1. People who want to get into the money-making world (the majority)
→ Extremely conservative

2. Players with no pressure (large stacks)
→ Can apply intense pressure

3. Short code (no refund)
→ We must find an opportunity to go all in.

The essence of a bubble period is an asymmetry of pressure.

Classic bubble scenario

1. 101 people remain, 100 of whom will enter the money-making circle.
2. You have a medium stack (25BB)
3. BTN folds to you (CO)
4. You got K♦ 9♦

Question: Should you start or fold?

flawed thinking: excessive conservatism

Many players will:
→ Afraid of being eliminated
→ Want to wait to get into the money circle
→ Give up the opportunity to attack

Result: A significant amount of EVs were missed.

Correct thinking: Selective attack

In this context:
→ Secondary advantage (CO)
→ Pressure on blind players
→ The opponent doesn't want to be eliminated
→ You have room to steal the blind

Conclusion: We should attack (either at the start or by applying immediate pressure).

Three core strategies during the bubble period

1. Applying pressure to the weak
→ Attack players who don't want to be eliminated

2. Avoid high-risk collisions
→ Especially for large stakes

3. Expand the scope of blind theft.
→ Take advantage of Fold Equity

Differences in different chip strategies

Big chips
→ Proactive attack (greatest advantage)

Middle chips
→ Most difficult to play (requires precise selection)

Short code
→ Look for opportunities to double your money (Push/Fold)

Most common mistakes during the bubble period

1. Not playing cards at all
2. Excessive fear of being eliminated
3. Daring not to steal from the blind
4. Attacking the wrong opponent

The biggest mistake during a bubble is not daring to utilize pressure.

Advanced Strategy: ICM Exploit

Experts' Gathering:
→ Applying intense pressure on the Chinese code
→ Cautious countermeasures against short codes
→ Precise Blind Stealing
→ Controlling risks

The bubble period is the stage where the gap is most easily widened.

Core Decision Conclusions

During a bubble, the question isn't whether to be conservative or aggressive, but rather "who to attack."

Once you understand the flow of pressure, you can reliably accumulate shares.