Phil Galfond and Patrick Leonard Discuss ICM Evolution in MTTs

Poker professionals Phil Galfond and Patrick Leonard recently engaged in a detailed discussion about the Independent Chip Model (ICM) and its significance in Multi-Table Tournaments (MTTs).

Patrick Leonard highlighted that ICM is often surrounded by an aura of mystery for many people, making it a complex and somewhat intimidating topic. He noted that while top players acknowledge the limitations of ICM, the advent of advanced programs like Vision from RunItOnce and Piosolver has provided more precise answers, albeit with some lingering doubts due to ICM's inherent imperfections.

Phil Galfond shared his early experiences with ICM, recalling that he started playing online poker in 2003 with Sit & Go (SNG) tournaments. He mentioned that ICM was actively discussed in the SNG section of the 2+2 forum, and he used software for push-fold situations, although he wasn't sure if it accounted for ICM. Galfond also discussed the evolution of ICM solvers, noting that he didn't use them seriously until the end of 2019 when he returned to high-stakes Omaha. He expressed caution about relying too heavily on solvers, acknowledging that while they are mathematically sound, there is always room for error.