What is Edge Passing in Poker?

If you’ve been studying poker long enough, you’ve probably heard players talk about “taking every edge.” That’s solid advice—most of the time. But what separates strong players from elite players is knowing when not to take a small edge.

That’s where edge passing comes in. This is a concept that doesn't make sense. Why should I pass on an edge? However, once you understand it, it becomes one of the most powerful decisions in high-level poker strategy.

Imagine you’re in a spot where calling might give you a tiny profit over the long run… but folding might increase your chance to capitalize on even bigger opportunities later.

That’s the essence of edge passing, and it becomes especially important in tournaments, where survival and stack preservation often matter more than tiny theoretical gains.

Let’s break it down in simple terms, step by step.

Understanding the Concept of Edge

In poker terminology, an “edge” refers to any situation where you have an advantage—big or small—over your opponent. This could be:

• A mathematical advantage (e.g., pot odds or equity)

• A skill advantage (e.g., playing better post-flop)

• A range advantage (e.g., having stronger hands in your lineup)

• A positional advantage

Edges occur constantly in poker. Most players try to take every small advantage they spot. But that isn’t always optimal.

Poker Terminology Related to Edge

Before going deeper, here are a few terms that help clarify the concept:

• EV (Expected Value): The long-term value of a decision.

• Thin edge: A very small advantage—something that’s profitable but barely.

• Risk premium: The extra value you need to justify taking a risk, especially in tournaments.

• ICM (Independent Chip Model): A model that assigns monetary value to tournament chips, often changing the optimal play.

These terms become foundational in understanding edge passing.

Importance of Edge in Poker Strategy

Every winning player extracts value from small edges. But great players don’t treat all edges equally. A 1% EV spot may be worth taking in cash games, but in tournaments—particularly near pay jumps or final tables—the risk of elimination can make a “profitable” decision actually harmful.

That’s where edge passing shines: protecting future opportunities by avoiding marginal risks.

So What Is Edge Passing?

Edge passing is the intentional decision to fold a hand even when calling might have a small positive expectation, because folding preserves a larger long-term advantage.

In simpler words: You’re skipping a small edge now to avoid big risks and maintain your strategic position later.

Edge passing is most often used in tournaments—but it applies anywhere risk-reward imbalance matters.

Example of an Edge Passing

Let’s say:

• You’re in a poker tournament with a solid stack.

• A short stack shoves all-in.

• You hold A7 in the big blind.

• Based on the range, calling is slightly +EV—maybe worth a fraction of a big blind in the long run.

However:

• Losing knocks you to a below-average stack.

• Folding keeps your healthy stack, allowing you to keep pressuring weaker players.

Calling is profitable mathematically, but folding is better strategically.

That’s edge passing.

The Art of Strategic Folding

Edge passing is sometimes described as “professional folding.” It’s folding not because your hand is weak—but because the risk attached to playing the hand outweighs the small theoretical reward.

You’re basically saying:

“I don’t need to gamble here. I can win more chips later in better spots.”

And believe it or not, this type of discipline separates pros from amateurs.

Recreational players think folding equals weakness. Professionals know folding is often strength.

Purpose of Edge Passing

• Reduce unnecessary volatility

• Avoid coin flips when you don’t need them

• Protect your tournament life

• Maintain ability to apply pressure

• Wait for high-confidence spots

• Leverage ICM advantages in late stages

When to Consider Edge Passing

You don’t want to fold every marginally profitable hand. The key is knowing when a small edge isn’t worth taking.

You should consider edge passing when:

You’re deep in a tournament

Survival and stack preservation dramatically increase in value.

ICM pressure is high

Pay jumps can make small EV spots toxic.

You have a skill edge

Better players want to avoid variance and maximize future opportunities.

Opponents are weaker

Let them make the big mistakes—don't gamble unnecessarily.

Calling risks a significant portion of your stack

Even if profitable in a vacuum, the downside might be too large.

What Happens…?

If I Call?

Calling a small edge often results in:

• You win a tiny theoretical profit on average

• You expose yourself to large swings

• You might cripple your stack or bust entirely

• You increase variance unnecessarily

• You lose your ability to dominate the table later

In tournaments, this can be catastrophic.

If I Fold?

Folding may feel like giving up value, but you preserve:

• Fold equity in future hands

• Your ability to bully shorter stacks

• Your survival deeper into the tournament

• A strategic position at the table

• Your mental clarity and emotional balance

A fold is sometimes the most +EV choice long-term.

Advanced Poker Techniques for Edge Passing

Edge passing intersects with several advanced poker concepts:

1. Risk Premium Adjustments

In tournaments, your opponent’s shove may require you to call with significantly more equity than just the pot odds suggest.

2. Range Weighting

If your calling range becomes too wide, you lose your ability to credibly apply pressure later.

3. Equity Realization

Some hands may show positive “theoretical” equity but perform terribly in practice.

4. Stack-to-Pot Ratio (SPR) Awareness

Low SPR spots may force you into high-variance results you want to avoid.

Evaluating Opponent Tendencies

Edge passing works best when you understand your opponents:

• Against wildly aggressive players, preserving your stack lets you trap them later.

• Against tight players, maintaining position gives you opportunities to steal blinds.

• Against short stacks, forcing them to sweat rather than giving them double-ups is strategically powerful.

Knowing who you’re up against helps you decide whether taking marginal edges is even necessary.

Hand Analysis and Its Role in Edge Passing

Effective poker hand analysis helps you determine when a spot is truly +EV or just looks profitable.

When analyzing a hand for edge passing:

• Evaluate your pot odds

• Compare them to your equity vs. villain’s range

• Consider ICM implications

• Calculate the risk premium

• Look at stack depth and future utility

• Weigh tournament context (bubble, final table, etc.)

Often, after analysis, a “thin value call” becomes a clear fold.

Implementing Edge Passing in Tournament Strategies

Early Stages

You can take more thin edges early because the penalty for busting is low. Edge passing is used sparingly here.

Middle Stages

Bubble dynamics make small edges less attractive. Stack preservation becomes key.

Late Stages / Final Tables

This is where edge passing becomes super powerful.

ICM, payout ladders, and deep edges in skill reward players who avoid unnecessary gambles.

Edge Passing in Different Tournament Stages

• Early: Rare but useful versus bad players

• Bubble: Common; avoid doubling up short stacks

• ITM but not deep: Moderate; maintain pressure

• Final two tables: Very high value

• Final table: Absolutely essential for proper ICM play

Case Studies of Successful Edge Passing

Case Study 1: The Near-Bubble Fold

A professional folds AQ offsuit to a short stack shove—even though it’s slightly +EV. Minutes later, two other players bust, and the pro enters the money comfortably with a strong stack.

Case Study 2: Final Table Discipline

At a major final table, a player folds 99 facing a big reshove from the chip leader. Even though 99 is strong, busting there would cost tens of thousands in ICM value. The fold allows him to ladder two positions later.

Case Study 3: Avoiding the Reg Flip

A skilled player avoids a coin flip against another top professional—even though calling would have been profitable in a cash game environment. By folding, he preserves his dominant position over the rest of the table.

Conclusion

Edge passing is one of the most advanced poker techniques you can learn. It transforms your approach from “take every edge” to “take the right edges.” It teaches patience, discipline, and long-term thinking—qualities that separate elite players from competent ones.

The real secret?

Sometimes the most profitable play is the one you don’t make.

When you understand when to pass edges—especially in tournaments—you’ll find yourself making deeper runs, avoiding unnecessary bustouts, and increasing your win rate in ways that go far beyond simple math.

FAQ

Why do poker pros pass small edges?

Because small edges often come with big risks. Pros avoid unnecessary variance and prefer to wait for high-confidence spots where their skill edge is maximized.

Is edge passing used in cash games or just tournaments?

It’s primarily a tournament strategy due to survival and ICM factors, but it can occasionally apply in deep cash lineups where preserving stack depth matters.

How does ICM relate to edge passing?

ICM increases the penalty of busting in a tournament, making small edges less valuable and encouraging players to protect their stack.

What hands are common candidates for edge passing?

Medium-strength hands like A7o, KTo, 66–99, or suited gappers facing all-ins in marginal spots.

Is edge passing a sign of weakness?

Not at all. In fact, it’s often a sign of high-level discipline and advanced poker strategy.