Savage Rules! Leaving one chip behind: Angle or strategy?

What do you think about players who leave one chip behind? Give us your answer in Ask the Org.

The Situation: Leaving one chip behind

What: a player shoves their stack forwards, but leaves one chip behind

When: More and more often

“One situation I'm seeing more and more is the player leaving one chip behind when moving all their chips in. Now, here's the question: Is it an angle or a strategy?”

It's usually more subtle than this.

Eloy Cabacas

“A lot of players on the tournament circuit are talking about it, and now more and more players are doing it. One thing is for sure: I can tell you it's annoying!"

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The Problem

"Some players make the mistake of assuming that the player who pushed their chips all in (except for one) is entirely all-in.

"An opponent calls the all-in (not realizing the player left one chip behind) and exposes their cards for a showdown. Now, that player is in the wrong for revealing their hand. It’s a bad situation.

"I challenge the players who are leaving one chip behind."

The Solution?

"Help me out! I want to hear what other players think about this move. Is it strategy, or is it an angle?”

Daniel Negreanu recently explained why some players do this, and why he thinks it's a net negative for poker...

...while David Lappin seems to think it’s a smart move to leave one chip behind.

What's your take? Have your say in the comments below.

Matt Savage is the WPT Executive Tour Director, founder of the Tournament Directors Association, and a much beloved and respected member of the poker community.

Follow Matt on X @SavagePoker. For more info, visit PokerTDA.com and WPT.com.

^{Additional image courtesy of Eloy Cabacas}