The term ITM stands for “in the money.” It is simply a way of saying that all players left in the tournament have reached the payout stage, and everybody busting from that point on will receive a payout.
For example, a tournament with 4,000 players could have 10% ITM. This means that the last 400 players will share the prize pool. Of course, money is distributed based on finishing position, with those finishing in higher spots getting paid more.
For tournament players, getting ITM is important as that means that they get at least something back for their buy-in, and it also helps keep their bankroll healthy. Plus, before you can win a tournament, you first need to get in the money.
