Chop-O-Matic

This form can compute a couple different types of poker tournament deals ("chops"). The ICM algorithm is the gold standard, but the proportional algorithm is easier to understand and can support more players.

ICM, also known as the Malmuth-Harville method, is a "fair" chop assuming all players have equal skill. It assigns extra weight to short stacks.

The proportional method gives each player a portion of the prize pool relative to their chip stacks. This overvalues a large stack and undervalues a small one.

The number of players left must be greater than or equal to the number of payout positions. (We can't make a deal with the players already out.)

All amounts calculated are limited relative to the lowest payout position. We guarantee last place money to each position, then work the deal out from That is, nobody can get paid less than the lowest place currently getting paid. (A proportional chop can still give 1st place more than 1st place money. This is a bad deal and we recommend against it.)

ICM chops are computationally intensive and are limited to 20 players. If you need a bigger deal than that, consider a proportional chop.

Recalculation is automatic, but the "Force Recalculate" button can be used to force a re-query to the server.

If this form was prepopulated from a tournament, it will not track changes from the tournament. Re-load the form if the tournament has changed and you want to reload the data.