Poker Tournaments

Sit and Go

Sit and go poker tournaments usually involve a small group of players, often with 6 to 10 seats at a table. That means they tend to be quick and simple. 

Unlike some other tournament variations, sit and go poker tournaments begin as soon as each available seat is filled. Buy-ins tend to be low, and prize pools are typically based on how many players register. Sit and go tournaments are ideal if you want to enjoy a brief, low-commitment tournament.

Progressive Knockout

Progressive knockout poker tournaments split entry fees between a prize pool and a bounty fund. This adds an extra element of competition to the game: players claim a bounty payout each time they knock other players out of the tournament. 

As it is progressive, the bounties get bigger and bigger as the tournament goes on. The more players you knock out, the better your chances of winning (and the better your bounty earnings).

Single-Table Tournaments

A single-table tournament is played on a single table (as you might expect) with around 8 to 10 players. The size of the prize pool is based on entry fees. The tournament runs until one participant claims the biggest share of the prize pool. That is usually around 50%, with runners up winning about 20% to 30% each.

Multi-Table Tournaments

Multi-table poker tournaments feature a large group of players across any number of tables, ranging from just two to potentially hundreds at the same time. Multi-table tournaments are fast and dynamic: losing players leave, the number of active tables decreases, and eventually just one table is left standing.

Heads-Up Poker Tournaments

Heads-up poker tournaments involve a chain of one-on-one games. Both players start the tournament with an equal amount of chips. When one player has all of the chips on the table, they win and move on to the next round. The tournament whittles the number of players (e.g. 64) down to the final pair.

Freeroll Poker Tournaments

Players can take part in freeroll poker tournaments for free — there is no mandatory buy-in. You can still win real money in freeroll tournaments, though the prize pools tend to be smaller than those that demand a buy-in from each player. If you are new to poker and want to gain some experience without risking your money, freeroll tournaments offer a great opportunity to learn.

Bounty Tournaments

A ‘bounty tournament’ is the same as a progressive knockout event: a percentage of a prize pool is paid out in bounties whenever a player knocks another out of the tournament. Players keep the bounty on an opponent’s head, which can top up their overall winnings.

Rebuy Tournaments

In a rebuy poker tournament, you have the option to buy more chips once you lose them all and keep playing. You do not need to leave the table once your stack is gone, which essentially gives you multiple chances to stay in the event. However, it is crucial that you set a limit for yourself before you enter a rebuy tournament to avoid wagering more than you intend to.

Hyper-Turbo Tournaments

Hyper-turbo tournaments move fast: blind levels increase every few minutes, and the number of hands played at each level tends to be low. It is common for players to become short stacked rapidly, which can make winning difficult for even the most experienced poker player.

Freezeout Tournaments

Freezeout poker tournaments can be brutal: as soon as you lose all of your chips, you are out of the tournament permanently. No re-buys, no re-entries. It is over. In freezeout poker tournaments, it is especially important to take care of your stack and make sensible decisions. Otherwise, you could be out of the tournament sooner than you might like.

Terminator Tournaments

Despite their name, Terminator tournaments do not involve playing poker against killer cyborgs from the future. Instead, they are similar to freezeout events: when you lose your stack, you are out of the tournament. However, there is one big difference: each player has a ‘Terminator Chip’ with a real-money value attached. 

Whenever you go all-in, you need to post your Terminator Chip with your standard chips. If you lose it all, you are out and your Terminator Chip is passed on to the player you lost to.