Buy-in

In poker, a buy-in is the amount of money a player pays to join a game or tournament and receive their initial chips. The specific meaning and rules differ slightly between cash games and tournaments. 

• In cash games: buy-in = initial chip stack. 

• In tournaments: buy-in + fee contribute to prize pools and operator revenue. 

Some formats include rebuys, re-entries, or add-ons. 

Relevance for players 

• Determines your bankroll needs and risk level. 

• Choosing correct buy-ins is essential for long-term success. 

• Different buy-in tiers attract different skill levels. 

Relevance for operators

1 – Buy-in structure influences: 

• Player segmentation 

• Tournament turnout 

• Prize pool attractiveness 

• Rake strategy 

2 – Low buy-in + large field = high retention of casual players. 

3 – High buy-in = VIP targeting and media attention. 

4 – Online operators often use micro buy-ins ($0.10–$1) to attract new audiences.