[Bonus Structure] Influences Decision-Making

The core conclusion of Poker Payout Structure: Payout structure determines ICM pressure.

Many players only lookChip quantityBut overlookedHow are the bonuses distributed?

Different bonus structures require different optimal strategies.

What is Payout Structure?

Payout Structure representsBonus distribution methodFor example：
1st Place: $100,000
2nd Place: $60,000
3rd Place: $40,000

or:

1st place: $300,000
2nd Place: $80,000
3rd Place: $40,000

Different allocation methods will result in different EVs

Flat bonus structure

Flat Payout,The ranking difference is small.For example：
1st Place: $100,000
No. 2: $90,000
3rd Place: $80,000

At this time, the ICM pressure is high.Because every ranking is important.

Steep Bonus Structure

Top Heavy Payout isThe prize money for the champion is exceptionally high.For example：
1st Place: $500,000
2nd Place: $200,000
3rd Place: $100,000

At this point, the value of winning the championship will be even higher.Players usually need to be more proactive

Why does the bonus structure change the decision?

because ICM calculates the bonus EV.The bonus EV comes fromBonus tableNot from the chips themselves

Without a bonus structure, there is no ICM

Most obvious at the final table

For example：
No. 6: $20,000
No. 5: $22,000

The difference is very small.but:
2nd Place: $150,000
1st place: $300,000

The gap will be huge.The playing style will naturally be completely different.

Bubble and Bonus Structure

if Min Cash is high.The pressure on the bubble will also increase.if Min Cash is very low.Bubble's impact decreased

The prize structure directly affects how Bubble works.

How will Risk Premium change?

The bigger the bonus jump The higher the Risk Premium, the better.
The smaller the bonus jump,The lower the Risk Premium, the better.

Risk Premium actually comes from the bonus structure.

How do professional gamers analyze prize structure?

Experts will pay attention to:
→ Next jump bonus
→ Champion percentage
→ Min Cash Ratio
→ Final table gap

The bonus table itself is part of the strategy.

The most common mistakes of novices

→ Ignoring the prize table completely
→ Ignore bonus
→ The final table only considers hand strength
→ Bubble doesn't look at Min Cash

Many people don't lose because they don't understand the value of the prize money, but because they don't understand its value.

Advanced understanding: Payout Structure × ICM × Dollar EV

True professional gamers will analyze:
→ Bonus Jump
→ Risk Premium
→ Chip distribution
→ Survival value
→ Dollar EV

The starting point for all ICM decisions is actually the bonus structure.

Key conclusions

The same hand and the same amount of chips can lead to completely different outcomes under different payout structures.

When you start to pay attention to the bonus structure, you will truly understand the core logic behind ICM decision-making.