Buy-in
What it costs to enter a tournament, or the amount you bring to a cash-game table. Tournament buy-ins are usually written as prize pool + fee, e.g. £500 + £60, where the £60 is the venue's rake.
Related terms
Full glossaryFrequently asked questions
What does buy-in mean in poker?
The amount you pay to enter a game. In a tournament it is a one-off entry cost; in a cash game it is the money you exchange for chips, which you can add to between hands.
Why are tournament buy-ins written as $100 + $10?
The first figure goes to the prize pool and is paid out to finishers. The second is the entry fee the house keeps for running the event. A single advertised number usually means the fee is included in it.
What is the difference between a rebuy, a re-entry and an add-on?
A re-entry is a completely new entry bought after busting. A rebuy buys more chips while you are still in the tournament, during a defined early window. An add-on is a single optional chip purchase, usually offered once when the rebuy period ends.
What is an overlay?
When entries fail to generate the guaranteed prize pool, the operator covers the shortfall. That extra money is the overlay, and it makes the event unusually good value for those who entered, because part of the prize pool was not paid in by any player.