# Table Balancing

> Source: [Table Balancing in the Smarter.Poker Glossary](https://smarter.poker/glossary/table-balancing)

## Definition
Table Balancing Is Moving Players Between Tables So Each Table In A Tournament Or Cash Game Stays Close To The Same Number Of Players. In Tournaments, The Tournament Director Moves A Player From The Fullest Table To The Shortest, Usually Into The Equivalent Position, And Breaks Tables As The Field Shrinks Toward The Final Table.

- **Category**: Live Room
- **Term Code**: `table-balancing`
- **DefinedTermSet**: [Smarter.Poker Poker Glossary](https://smarter.poker/glossary)

## Related Poker Terms

- [Must-Move Table](https://smarter.poker/glossary/must-move-table) ([Markdown](https://smarter.poker/glossary/must-move-table.md)): A Must-Move Table Is A Second Table Of The Same Game That Feeds A Main Table. Players Start At The Must-Move Table And Are Moved To The Main Game In Order As Seats Open There. It Keeps The Main Table Full, Protects It From Breaking, And Lets A Room Start A New Game While The Waitlist Is Still Long.
- [Chip-Up](https://smarter.poker/glossary/chip-up) ([Markdown](https://smarter.poker/glossary/chip-up.md)): A Chip-Up, Also Called A Color Up, Is When A Tournament Removes Its Smallest Chip Denomination Once The Blinds No Longer Need It And Exchanges Those Chips For Larger Ones. Leftover Odd Chips Are Settled By A Chip Race, Dealing One Card Per Odd Chip, So A Player Can Never Be Eliminated By The Chip-Up Itself.
- [Waitlist](https://smarter.poker/glossary/waitlist) ([Markdown](https://smarter.poker/glossary/waitlist.md)): A Waitlist Is The Queue A Poker Room Keeps For Each Game, Such As 1/3 No Limit Hold'em, So Players Are Seated In Order As Seats Open. Players Can Join For Several Games At Once And Are Called By Name When A Seat Is Ready. Remote Waitlists Let Players Join From A Phone Before Arriving At The Room.
- [ICM (Independent Chip Model)](https://smarter.poker/glossary/icm) ([Markdown](https://smarter.poker/glossary/icm.md)): ICM, The Independent Chip Model, Converts Tournament Chip Stacks Into Shares Of The Remaining Prize Pool. Because Chips Lost Hurt More Than Chips Won Help Once Payouts Are Close, ICM Tells Players To Tighten Their Calling Ranges Near The Bubble And At Final Tables. It Is The Standard Tool For Tournament Deals And Late Stage Push And Fold Decisions.

## Practice On Smarter.Poker

- [Club Commander](https://smarter.poker/hub/commander): Live Poker Room Waitlists, Game Boards And Tournament Clocks.
- [Club Commander Guide](https://smarter.poker/features/club-commander): Feature Specification For Cardroom Waitlists And Tournament Clocks.
- [Poker Near Me](https://smarter.poker/hub/poker-near-me/lobby): Find A Live Poker Room And Its Games.
- [Poker Near Me Guide](https://smarter.poker/features/poker-near-me): Live Poker Room And Tournament Discovery Specification.

## Compliance & Fair Play

There Is No Real-Money Gambling On Smarter.Poker: Club Chips Are Play Credits With No Cash Value, And Diamonds Are A Promotional Rewards Currency.