The Ultimate Guide to Poker Tournaments: How Do Poker Tournaments Work?

If you’re a fan of online poker – poker tournaments are well worth considering. This is because you will often have access to life-changing prize pools for a small entry fee. The deeper you go in a poker tournament– the more money you’ll stand to win.

But you may be wondering – how do poker tournaments work in 2025? Below, we provide the ultimate beginner’s guide to poker tournaments – including formats, rules, strategies, best practices, and more.

Sit & Go Tournaments

Sit and Go games are mini-tournaments with a limited number of seats. They’re often capped at 6 or 9 players – meaning games are much faster than traditional tournaments. Most poker sites run Sit & Go games 24/7 across multiple buy-ins.

• For example, beginners might wish to start with a small buy-in of $5.
• The buy-in is the only amount you risk when playing Sit & Go tables.
• Suppose there are 9 players in this particular game. At a $5 buy-in, the total pot is $45.

Now, when the game starts, players receive a fixed number of chips. This is often 1,500 chips but can vary depending on the poker site. After players are randomly assigned a seat, the small and big blinds will be distributed. The blinds increase periodically, such as every 15-20 minutes. This ensures the game doesn’t run for too long.

There are also Turbo Sit & Go games, where the blinds increase at a much quicker rate. Nonetheless, players are no longer in the game when they lose their chip allocation. Sit & Go tables typically offer prizes to the first two players – but there can be more depending on the number of seats.

In this example, we mentioned that the pot has $45. So, the player that wins the cash game might collect $30. And the runner-up might get $15. Experienced poker players will often play Sit & Go games with buy-ins worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Multi-Table Tournaments (MTTs)

Most online tournaments sit within the Multi-Table Tournaments (MTTs) category. After all, tournaments often have hundreds or even thousands of players (which is fewer than cash games). This means multiple tables are required. So, let’s say you’re entering a tournament with 500 players. Each poker table has 9 seats. This means 56 tables are required.

• Similar to Sit & Go games, tournaments come with a buy-in. Let’s say you pay $10.
• There are 500 players, so the total prize pot is $5,000.
• Each player receives a fixed number of chips.
• Once the tournament begins, you’ll randomly be allocated to a table and a seat.
• The big and small blinds will automatically put chips on the table and the cards are dealt.

Just like the Sit & Go format, the blind values within multi-table tournaments increase every 15-20 minutes. Losing all of your chips means you’re out of the tournament. The only exception is if the tournament has a rebuy policy – which we discuss shortly. Now, to ensure an even spread, multi-table tournaments will regularly move players to a new table as the tournament progresses.

For example, suppose your table a multi-table tournament initially had 9 players. Then, 6 lose their chips. Meaning, just 3 players are left in this multi-table tournament. The poker site will likely add those remaining players to a different table. This can happen at any time. In terms of poker tournament payouts, the prize pot will be distributed depending on the number of players.

In this example, we mentioned that the MTT has 500 players and a $5,000 prize pot. The winning player could receive 17% of the pot, and the runner-up might get 10%. Those finishing on the final table could get at least 4%.

There could also be a 1% allocation for those finishing in the top 20. And perhaps 0.5% for those in the top 50. These are just arbitrary percentages to illustrate the point. MTT distributions can vary depending on the format and poker site.

Freeroll Tournaments

A freeroll tournament is ideal for the entry-level beginner. While they often follow the MTT format, they’re completely free to enter. Freerolls are available at most poker sites – as they’re a solid way to attract and retain players. This also increases player traffic – a crucial key performance indicator for poker sites.

While freeroll tournaments come without a buy-in fee – players can still win real money. This is usually a predetermined amount. For example, the poker site might allocate $10,000 to weekly freeroll tournaments. This will be distributed depending on how many players enter the game. Entry numbers are rarely limited – so you could be playing against hundreds of other players.

In other cases, freeroll tournaments offer tickets to winning players. These are often tickets to high-value tournaments that ordinarily come with a large buy-in fee. Once again, this is an effective way to increase your poker bankroll and skills without risking any money.

Rebuy and Add-on Tournaments

You’ll often come across the terms ‘rebuy’ and ‘add-on’ when exploring the question – how do poker tournaments work? Let’s take a closer look at how each term works.

So, we mentioned earlier that most tournaments give players a fixed, equal number of chips. Players exit the tournament once those chips have been lost. However, rebuy tournaments allow players to buy more chips when they exit the game. This is almost always at the same buy-in rate.

• For instance, suppose you paid $50 to enter the tournament, which got you 3,000 chips.
• The rebuy amount would also be $50 for another 3,000 chips.

Now, rebuy tournaments only allow rebuys for a certain time frame. For instance, for the first 60 minutes. After that, no more rebuys will be allowed. Within this time frame, you might be allowed unlimited rebuys. Or, this rebuy period could be limited to just one. It’s important to check this before entering a rebuy tournament.

Similar to rebuys, add-on tournaments allow you to purchase more chips. However, unlike rebuys, you don’t need to wait until you exit the tournament.

• For example, suppose the tournament buy-in was $10, which got you 2,000 chips.
• The add-on time frame is 30 minutes.
• Within these 30 minutes, you can pay another $10 to receive an extra 2,000 chips.
• Doing this straight away means you’ve doubled your chip stack to 4,000 chips
• Once the 30-minute time frame passes, no more add-ons are allowed

Do note that add-ons can often only be made once per tournament. Moreover, it’s usually advisable to use the add-on feature where possible. Otherwise, you’ll be at a disadvantage over other players.

Turbo and Hyper-Turbo Tournaments

We mentioned earlier that big and small blinds typically increase every 15-20 minutes when playing online tournaments. For example, let’s say each player receives 1,500 chips. The small and big blinds could be 10 and 20 chips, respectively. They’ll double to 20 and 40 chips when the blinds increase. This process continues until the tournament is over.

Now, turbo poker tournaments increase the small and big blinds at a faster rate. This averages 5-10 minutes but will depend on the poker site. As such, tournaments finish considerably faster. Moreover, players must be more aggressive when playing turbo tournaments. Otherwise, chip stacks will get eaten away by the blinds.

And then there are hyper-turbo tournaments. These games are even faster, with blinds often increasing every 2-5 minutes. We’d suggest avoiding turbo and hyper-turbo tournaments if you’re a beginner. It’s best to stick with standard blind frameworks, as you’ll have more time to make hand decisions.

Satellite Tournaments

Satellite tournaments can follow any of the rules discussed so far. Meaning, they could have standard or turbo blinds, and they may and may not accept rebuys and add-ons. Nevertheless, satellite games offer ticket entries rather than cash prizes. This is usually a ticket for the main event of a large tournament with a significant prize pot.

For instance, it could be a tournament with a minimum prize pot of $1 million and a buy-in of $1,000. In contrast, the respective satellite tournament might have a much smaller buy-in of just $5. As such, they’re a great way to access high-value tournaments without risking a lot of money.

Guaranteed Tournaments

You’ll come across tournaments with a ‘guaranteed’ prize pot. This means the prize pot comes with a predetermined minimum, no matter how many players enter.

For example, suppose the tournament offers a guaranteed pot of $4,000. The buy-in is $40. Ordinarily, the tournament would need 100 players to reach the $4,000 pot. However, even if the tournament only attracts 50 players, the pot remains at $4,000.

Guaranteed tournaments are well worth exploring, as you’re increasing the odds if only a few players enter.

Tournament Structure and Stages

We’ve now covered the most popular formats, helping you to understand the answer to the answer – how do poker tournaments work? In the this section we will take a closer look at the most common tournament structures and stages. Continue reading to take your poker tournament knowledge to the next level.

Registration and Buy-in

Assuming you’ve already got an account with a poker site – the first step is to navigate to the tournaments section. Do note that Sit & Go games are normally separate from tournaments, so make sure you’re selecting the most appropriate format.

You’ll then see a long list of available tournaments. Each tournament should display the following information:

• Buy-in: The amount of money you’ll need to pay to enter the tournament
• Rake: In addition to the buy-in, rake will also be charged. This is often about 10% of the buy-in amount.
• Time and Date: Based on your local time zone, the time and date that the tournament begins.
• Rebuys/Add-Ons: Whether or not rebuys and add-ons are permitted. If so, the respective time frame and limits.
• Prize Distribution: How the prize pot is distributed. For instance, how many players can land in the money and what percentage each position gets.
• Blinds: The initial small and big blinds, and how often their increased

It’s crucial to understand all of the above points before entering a tournament.

Understanding the Buy-in Process

Entering a tournament and completing the buy-in process takes seconds. Simply choose which tournament you want to enter and the funds will be deducted from your account balance.

Tip: if you’re entering a tournament that permits rebuys and add-ons, make sure you’ve got enough funds in your poker account. Otherwise, you might not have enough time to make a deposit.

Starting Stacks and Blinds

Understanding how starting stacks and blinds work is imperative. These metrics should have a direct impact on your poker tournament strategy.

Initial Chip Distribution

So, when entering tournaments, all players get the same amount of chips. This ensures nobody has an advantage over other players.

The starting stack is usually fixed on the respective poker site. For instance, all tournaments on one poker site might allocate 1,500 chips per player. While another might opt for 2,000 chips.

Blind Levels and Their Progression

Just like cash games, poker tournaments always come with a small and big blind.

• For example, let’s say the initial small and big blinds are 25 and 50 chips, respectively.
• The player positioned in the small blind position must put 25 chips on the table for that respective round.
• And 50 chips for the player in the big blind position.
• After the round finishes, the small and big blinds will move one position clockwise. This happens after every round.

Now, the size of the small and big blinds will increase periodically. As mentioned, this averages 15-20 minutes in a standard poker tournament structure. So, after 15-20 minutes, the blinds will rise to 50 and 100. This continues until the tournament is over.

The Early Stages

Players must have a solid online poker strategy from the get-go. Finding the perfect balance between conservatism and aggression is crucial.

Let’s start with some best practices for the early stages of a tournament.

Strategy and Tips for Early Play

Players should remain relatively cautious during the first few rounds. This will give you adequate time to get to grips with the flow of the table. The small and big blinds will be at their lowest once the tournament begins, so avoid getting sucked into hands unless you have reasonably strong hole cards.

This should include any pair and high-value suited connectors (e.g. Jack and Queen of Hearts). That said, positioning should also be considered. For example, ‘blind stealing’ can be a great way to build your stack early. This means raising the small blind if you’re situated to their right, and all previous players have folded.

Unless the smaller big blind has a decent hand, they’ll likely fold too – meaning you collect the blinds. Although most poker tournaments follow the MTT format, it’s still worth making notes for notable players. For instance, you might notice that a particular player is overly aggressive from the get-go.

Most poker sites allow you to make notes – which can come in handy if you meet the player again later in the same tournament series, or in another tournament.

Importance of Building a Stack

The most important strategy during the early rounds is to build your stack without being too aggressive. Just remember, the blinds will double every 15-20 minutes, and even sooner when playing turbo or hyper-turbo tournaments. As such, you must have enough chips during the later rounds to have a realistic chance of progressing.

Otherwise, your limited chip stack will get destroyed by the blinds, meaning you’ll be forced to go all-in. So, aim to extract maximum cash value when you have a strong hand. Make hand decisions based on your position – meaning increased aggression when situated near the blinds. And more conservative gameplay when you’re not.

The Middle Stages

Once you get to the middle stage of a poker tournament, the blinds will likely have doubled several times. In addition, some players will have been eliminated from the tournament. However, the number of existing players will still be relatively large.

You should also have more chips than you started with – although there’s no need to panic if this isn’t the case. After using all the chips, the blinds should still be reasonably modest – even if they’ve increased multiple times.

Strategy and Tips for Middle Play

In terms of strategy, it’s still advisable to play reasonably conservatively – just like in the early stages. However, it’s also important to remember the blinds are several multiples higher, so it’s wise to open your range slightly. This means playing a wide scope of hands, rather than just pairs and high-value suited connectors.

For instance, consider playing Broadway cards in most cases, such as King-10 or Jack-Ace. Suited Aces should also be played, whether that’s Ace-9 or Ace-2. High-value off-suit connectors are also playable. For example, 10 of Hearts and Jack of Spades. Equally, however, position play is also crucial – so don’t play these hands as a rule of thumb.

Managing Your Stack and Position

The most important aspect during the middle stages is that you manage your chip stack adequately. Always have an eye on the blind values and the upcoming increase.

Selectively being aggressive – either because you have a strong hand or you’re in a solid position, can help you build your stack in a risk-averse way. Just remember – the longer you’re in the tournament, the more players that will have been eliminated.

The Bubble Stage

The bubble stage of a poker tournament is one of the most important. This is the stage just before you’re ‘in the money’. As such, it’s crucial to be extra cautious during this period.

• For example, suppose the poker tournament initially had 1,000 players.
• Prizes are offered to players finishing within the top 100 places.
• Currently, there are 102 players left in the tournament.
• As such, only two more players need to be eliminated before you’re guaranteed a payout.

Of course, the higher you finish the more you’ll win. But ensuring you at least get the tournament buy-in back is important for your poker bankroll.

Strategies for Playing on the Bubble

When you’re in the bubble stage, the main objective is survival. Unless you’ve got strong hole cards, avoid playing unnecessary hands. There’s nothing worse than spending hours playing a poker tournament only to get knocked out a few places before you’re in the money.

That said, you shouldn’t fold your hands religiously. If the odds are in your favor and you’re in a good table position – attempt to maximize value.

• For example, let’s say you’re positioned two seats to the right of the big blind.
• The big blind is currently 500.
• You’re holding a pair of Jacks.
• So far, one player has raised the pot to 1,500 – indicating they’ve got a strong hand.
• However, a pair of Jacks is also a strong hand – so it makes sense to at least call.
• After all, there are only three possible hands that are beating you at this stage – a pair of Queens, Kings, or Aces.

Additionally, your existing chip stack should be considered when making hand decisions during the bubble stage. If you’ve got a considerably large stack – especially when compared to other players on the same table, being aggressive is perfectly fine. You’ll find that those with a small stack will be conservative – as they’ll want to ensure they land in the money.

Late Stages

Once you’ve passed the bubble stage – you’re guaranteed a payout. As such, the remainder of the poker tournament is risk-free, as you’ve at least covered the buy-in and rake. However, payouts increase significantly as the tournament progresses toward the late stages, so you’ll want to finish as strongly as possible.

Strategy and Tips for Late Play

Now, it’s important to keep tabs on the prize money distribution table at this stage.

• For example, let’s say those finishing in 15th-20th place get $200.
• And those finishing in 10th-14th place get $400.
• If there are currently 16 players left, you’d want to make sure you at least finish 14th.
• This means just two players need to be eliminated.

Once again, how you play depends on the chip stack. If you’ve got a limited chip stack that only covers a few big blinds, then playing ultra-conservatively is crucial. At least until you reach the next payout level. The only exception is if you’re holding strong hole cards – such as pocket 10s and above. Avoid playing any other hands – as elimination can be costly.

Conversely, if you’ve got a solid chip stack that covers dozens of big blinds – you can afford to play poker aggressively. Just like the bubble stage, those with a small chip stack won’t want to get dragged into unnecessary hands. This is also a great opportunity to steal the blinds when you’re in the right position.

Adjusting to Increased Blinds and Aggression

The late stage – especially when playing tournaments with a huge number of entrants, typically has very large blinds. For example, suppose the big blinds were originally 20, and they’ve doubled every 15 minutes. You’ve been in the tournament for 3 hours, meaning the big blinds are now 81,920.

Deciding how to play poker hands at this stage will invariably depend on the current big blinds and your existing stack. For example, if your stack covers less than 10 big blinds, then a push-or-fold strategy is the only viable option. This means going all-in when you have a strong hand. Or folding when you don’t.

If you do have a short stack, expect aggression from the leading players on your table. They know you likely won’t call unless you have a semi-strong hand. With this in mind, opening your range when you’re in the small or big blind position can be effective. For example, if someone attempts to steal the blinds and you’re holding an Ace, going all-in is likely the best option.

The Final Table

If you’ve made the final table – you’ve potentially already won a sizable payout. After all, the final table is typically the tournament’s remaining 9 or 10 players.

Dynamics of Final Table Play

Final table payouts will likely increase substantially every time another player is eliminated. Irrespective of your current chip stack – the objective should be to finish as high as possible.

For example, let’s say that finishing 9th pays $2,000. Finishing just one place higher could pay $5,000 – especially if the tournament had thousands of entrants and a reasonably large buy-in.

Strategies for Maximizing Winnings

The most effective strategy on the final table is largely dependent on stack size.

• Chip Leaders: Chip leaders will often use their sizable stack to their advantage. This means being overly aggressive and bullying players with small stacks.
• Medium Stacks: Those with a medium stack can still play semi-aggressively, but caution is advised. Hands should be played selectively. For instance, avoid getting into a re-raise battle with the chip leader unless you have a strong hand.
• Small Stacks: Expect to be bullied by most other players if you’re on the final stable with a small stack. It’s best to revert to the push-or-fold strategy. Consider going all-in even if you only have an Ace with a low kicker.

Heads-Up Play

Heads-up play means you’ve made it to the final two positions. It’s just you and one other player.

The difference between a first and second-position payout can be significant when playing online poker tournaments. Therefore, you’ll want to give yourself the best chance possible of being victorious.

Strategies for Winning Heads-Up

Ultimately, heads-up play is all about aggression. You’ll want to widen your hand range considerably – especially pre-flop. For example, even holding a King-high can be a solid hand in heads-up play.

Prize Structure

Understanding the prize structure is crucial when playing online poker tournaments. Especially when you’re in the mid-to-bubble rounds, as you’ll want to ensure you land in the money. This will also dictate your strategy, depending on the size of your chip stack and the current blinds.

There is no standard prize structure, as this will vary depending on the poker site and the respective tournament. That said, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) offers some payout averages on MTTs.

• 10% of players typically land in the money in tournaments of up to 500 entrants.
• So, if there are 400 entrants, the top 40 will receive a payout.
• Distributions are usually top-heavy, meaning the final few players make the most.
• For example, the WSOP shows that winners often get 24.5% of the pot.
• While those finishing second and third get 14.25% and 9%, respectively.
• Even finishing in 10th place – which is often the final table, gets just 1.25% of the pot.

These are just estimates when using the best anonymous poker sites. Check the specific payouts every time you join a new tournament.

Tournament Rules and Etiquette

Online tournament poker rules are standard across most formats and sites. Players will always start the game with an equal number of chips. Blinds will be structured – meaning they double at the same intervals. For example, every 15 minutes. Elimination rules depend on whether rebuys are allowed.

If they aren’t, then losing all of your chips will mean you’ve been eliminated from the tournament. It’s also worth checking whether late registrations are allowed or whether there’s a late registration period. For example, even if the tournament has started, you might be able to enter within the first 60 minutes. Tournament rules also determine break times and durations.

In terms of etiquette, there are some best practices to keep in mind.

• For a start, avoid taking too much time on each hand decision.
• You’ll also get a reserve timer. Suppose that’s 60 seconds.
• If you consume the standard 30-second period plus an extra 10 seconds, your reserve timer will be reduced to 50 seconds.
• Ultimately, taking too much time will hold other players up, which is considered poor poker etiquette.

Online poker sites usually allow players to chat via text. While friendly interactions are encouraged, avoid being abusive or disrespectful.

Tips for Success in Poker Tournaments

In this section we will walk through a few top tips in order to set yourself up to be more successful at your next online poker tournament.

Bankroll Management

Bankroll management should be mastered before you enter any poker tournaments. This is a risk management strategy that ensures you don’t lose too much money.

If you’re a complete beginner, consider limiting tournament buy-ins to no more than 2% of your bankroll.

• For example, suppose you deposit $1,000 into your poker account.
• This means you shouldn’t enter tournaments if the buy-in exceeds $20.
• This covers 50 tournament entries.
• The best thing about bankroll management is that you can increase your tournament buy-ins in line with your success.
• For instance, let’s say you’ve built up your $1,000 bankroll to $3,000.
• Sticking with the 2% rule, you can now enter tournaments with buy-ins of up to $60.

Conversely, bankroll management dictates that buy-ins should be reduced if your balance declines. For example, if your balance is reduced to $500 – the maximum buy-in should be $10.

Position Play

The most successful poker tournament players have mastered the art of position play. In a nutshell, this means that hand decisions shouldn’t just be determined by the cards you see. But also where you’re positioned, relevant to the small and big blinds.

For example, suppose you’re based in an early-to-mid position. This means you’re situated close to the big blind – so you’re one of the first players to act. This position requires a more conservative approach – even if you’ve got a strong hand. After all, there are many other players to act – so it’s best to stay cautious.

However, a completely different approach should be taken if you’re situated in a late position. This means you’re one of the last players to act. Put otherwise, other players might have already called or raised – so you’ll have a better idea of how to proceed. For example, suppose one player raises the pot by 4 – potentially highlighting a strong hand.

Another player calls, meaning they’re also confident in their hand. Even if you don’t have a very strong hand, calling could be the best move. If the flop is favorable, you’re in a solid position – as you’ll be last to move. Being in a later position is also great for setting traps. For example, you might call rather than raise when you’ve got the nuts.

Play Strategically Based on the Tournament Stage

Another important tip is to make strategic decisions based on the stage of the tournament. Although blinds will be at their lowest during the early stages, it’s best to play more conservatively. Wait for the right hand and table position to maximize value. As you inch toward the bubble stage, the main focus should be on survival.

Especially if you have a limited chip stack. Once you’re in the money, you can then reassess. Similarly, the final table is where the majority of the prize pot is distributed. Avoid playing necessary hands if you’re short on chips. As mentioned, it’s wise to frequently check the payout structure, and how many players are still in the tournament.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistakes playing poker are inevitable. However, it’s best to try and avoid them when you can. Here, you will learn how limit or avoid common poker mistakes altogether.

Overvaluing Hands

Beginners often assume that they’ve got the best hand. Especially when landing a top pair (the highest possible pair on the board). However, this won’t always be the case – even if your opponent is playing conservatively.

For example, suppose you’ve got Ace-King. The flop shows Ace-2-7. While you’ve got a solid hand, your opponent could be holding a pair of 2s or 7s. In this instance, you’re currently well-beaten.

Rather than focusing exclusively on the cards you see, consider other metrics – such as the position, current pot, and the moves made by your opponent so far.

Playing Strong Hands Too Aggressively

Another common mistake made by beginners is playing strong hands too aggressively. One of the most important aspects of tournament play is maximizing cash value. This means extracting as many chips as possible when you’ve got the best hand.

For example, let’s say you’re dealt pocket Aces. You’re situated in an early position and raise the blinds by 4. This shows other players that you’ve got a strong hand. Unless another player has a strong hand, this could force everyone to fold. In this position, the smarter move could be to call. Allow other players to take the lead.

This scenario can be played differently if you’re in a late position. For example, suppose everyone else has folded. It’s just you and the blinds left to act. Making a big raise when holding pocket Aces could be the best move – as it will appear that you’re trying to steal the blinds. As such, one of the blinds might be tempted to call – or even re-raise.

Failing to Calculate Outs

‘Outs’ in poker refers to the number of potential cards that will give your current hand a strong combination. For example, suppose you’re holding 6-7 Diamonds. On the flop, two of the cards are Diamonds – meaning you only need one more to get a Flush. There’s also a 5-8, so a 4 or 9 is required to get s Straight.

In this instance, your current hand is strong – even though you haven’t landed a combination. This is because you’ve got many outs available. Therefore, even if your opponents raise, it’s worth calling. Not just the turn but also the river. After all, hitting one of your outs will likely translate to the strongest hand.

Conclusion

This beginner’s guide has answered the question – how does a poker tournament work? We’ve discussed the different tournament formats, prize distribution structures, strategies, and everything in between.

In short, poker tournaments involve players competing with set buy-ins, aiming to accumulate chips by strategically playing hands, with the ultimate goal of outlasting opponents to win prizes based on their final chip counts or rankings.

To be successful, players should ensure they have a solid bankroll management strategy before starting. It’s also important to follow best practices, such as making hand decisions based on position, the tournament stage, and how far away you are from a guaranteed payout.

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