Shoving from the small blind

Going all-in or folding from the small blind when only the big blind is left and stacks are short.

Last updated October 16, 2026

What it means: The push/fold skills for the small blind at 5 to 20bb. With a short stack a small raise commits you anyway, so all-in or fold is the whole decision.
How it is calculated: Shoving wins the blinds and antes whenever the big blind folds, and still has equity when called. The Nash range is the widest set of hands the big blind cannot punish by calling better.
Worked example: At 10bb with no ante the heads-up Nash small blind shoves about 58% of hands. At 20bb that range is much narrower, because you now risk 20bb to win the same 1.5bb in blinds.
Why it matters: Short-stack spots decide many tournaments, and folding far too often in them is a common leak.