What’s the best tournament format for beginners

Sit and Go and Freeroll tournaments are great for new players. They’re low-risk, easy to understand, and don’t require a big time commitment.

How often are online poker tournaments held

All the time. Most major sites run hourly events, plus daily and weekly featured tournaments.

Yes. Your winnings depend on how far you go and how many players entered. Even freerolls can pay out real cash.

No. Luck is a factor, but smart play, timing, and long-term strategy are what separate consistent winners from the rest.

How Poker Tournaments Work at Online Casinos

If you've been playing cash games and wondering what all the tournament buzz is about, you're in for a treat. Online poker tournaments are a completely different beast from regular cash games, and once you understand how they work, you might find yourself hooked on the tournament format.

Let me walk you through everything you need to know about how poker tournaments operate at online casinos, from the basic structure to the payout systems that make these events so exciting.

What Is an Online Poker Tournament

An online poker tournament is a scheduled event where each player pays the same buy-in and receives an identical starting chip stack. The objective is simple, outplay and outlast the rest of the field.

Unlike cash games, you can’t just come and go. You’re in it until you win or bust. That structure creates drama, intensity, and some seriously big payouts.

Quick Look: Cash Games vs. Tournaments

New to the game? Our Beginner’s Guide to Online Poker covers all the basics.

Feature	Cash Game	Tournament
Buy-in	Flexible (you choose)	Fixed (e.g., $20 + $5)
Join/Leave	Anytime	Only at scheduled start
Payout	Instant	After finishing in top positions
Chips	Real money chips	Equal tournament chips

Quick Overview to Online Poker Tournaments

Here’s what happens behind the scenes when you enter a tournament:

Buy-In and Entry: You pay a flat fee, for example $20 + $5. The prize pool is based on total entries.
Equal Chips: Everyone begins with the same stack, usually 1,000 to 10,000 chips depending on the format.
Blinds Go Up: Blind levels increase on a schedule, for example every 10 minutes, speeding up the game as it goes.
Elimination: Run out of chips and you're out, unless the format allows rebuys or re-entries.
Prize Distribution: Usually the top 10 to 15 percent of players get paid. The deeper you finish, the bigger the cut.

Pro Tip: The winner of a large tournament can often take home 30 to 40 percent of the total prize pool.

The Basic Tournament Structure

Unlike cash games where you can come and go as you please, poker tournaments are elimination events with a fixed start time. Everyone pays the same buy-in fee and receives an identical starting chip stack - typically anywhere from 1,500 to 20,000 chips depending on the tournament.

Here's the key difference: those chips have no direct cash value. You can't cash out your chips during the tournament like you would in a cash game. Instead, you're competing for a share of the total prize pool, which is created from all the buy-ins minus the casino's fee (usually around 10%).

The tournament continues until there's only one player left with all the chips. As players get eliminated, the remaining field gets consolidated at fewer tables until you reach the final table of typically 6-9 players.

How the Blind Structure Works

What makes tournaments particularly challenging is the escalating blind structure. The blinds (forced bets) start small but increase at regular intervals - usually every 10-20 minutes in online tournaments.

For example, a tournament might start with blinds of 25/50, then increase to 50/100, then 75/150, and so on. This creates mounting pressure as your chip stack becomes worth less relative to the blinds over time.

This escalating structure is what separates tournament strategy from cash game strategy. You can't just wait for premium hands because the blinds will eat away at your stack. You need to accumulate chips to stay ahead of the rising blinds.

Multi-Table Tournament Mechanics

Most online poker tournaments are multi-table tournaments (MTTs) that start with dozens or even hundreds of tables. As players get eliminated, the software automatically balances tables by moving players around.

You might start at a 9-handed table, but as the field shrinks, you'll be moved to maintain roughly equal numbers at each table. This continues until the field reaches the final table, where the remaining players compete for the biggest prizes.

The software handles all the table balancing automatically, so you don't need to worry about the logistics - just focus on playing your best poker.

Prize Pool Distribution and Payouts

Tournament payouts follow a top-heavy structure where the biggest prizes go to the final table finishers. Typically, only the top 10-15% of the field receives any prize money at all.

In a tournament with 100 players, you might need to finish in the top 12 positions to win any money. The winner usually receives around 20-30% of the total prize pool, with second place getting about 15-20%, and the payouts decreasing as you go down the finishing positions.

This payout structure creates interesting strategic decisions, especially as you approach the "bubble" - the point where one more elimination will put the remaining players "in the money."

Different Tournament Formats

Online casinos offer various tournament formats to suit different preferences and bankrolls. Sit & Go tournaments are smaller events that start as soon as enough players register - typically 6, 9, or 18 players.

Scheduled tournaments have fixed start times and can range from small daily events with modest buy-ins to major weekly tournaments with guaranteed prize pools. Some tournaments feature re-entry or rebuy options, allowing eliminated players to buy back in during the early stages.

Turbo and hyper-turbo tournaments speed up the action with faster blind increases, while deep-stack tournaments give you more chips to start and slower blind progressions for more strategic play.

Registration and Late Registration

Most online tournaments allow late registration for a certain period after the tournament starts - usually 1-3 hours depending on the event. Late registrants receive the same starting stack but enter with blinds already at a higher level.

You can register in advance or wait until the tournament starts to see how many players have entered. Some players prefer late registration to avoid the early stages, while others want to play from the beginning to maximize their chip accumulation opportunities.

The registration period closes automatically once the late registration deadline passes, and no new players can enter after that point.

Tournament Strategy Considerations

Tournament poker requires a different mindset than cash games. Your goal isn't to win the most hands or even the most chips in individual pots - it's to survive and accumulate enough chips to make a deep run.

Early in tournaments, you can play more conservatively since the blinds are small relative to your stack. As the tournament progresses and blinds increase, you'll need to become more aggressive to stay competitive.

The bubble phase creates unique dynamics where tight players try to sneak into the money, while aggressive players exploit this by applying pressure. Understanding these tournament-specific situations is crucial for success.

Satellite Tournaments and Qualifiers

Many online casinos run satellite tournaments that award seats to bigger events rather than cash prizes. These satellites let you win entry to high buy-in tournaments for a fraction of the cost.

For example, you might play a $20 satellite to win a seat in a $200 tournament. Satellites typically award one seat for every certain number of entrants, creating interesting endgame scenarios where players might chop the prize pool or play for the exact number of seats available.

This satellite system makes major tournaments accessible to players with smaller bankrolls who can work their way up through the qualifier structure.

Popular Types of Online Poker Tournaments in 2025

There’s no one-size-fits-all tournament. Here's a breakdown of the most common formats:

1. Freezeout Tournaments

No rebuys or re-entries
One life, once you’re out, you’re done
Great for pure skill-based competition

2. Rebuy and Re-Entry Tournaments

Players can rebuy chips during a limited window
Some tournaments let players rejoin once after busting
Leads to larger prize pools

3. Turbo and Hyper Turbo Tournaments

Blinds increase quickly, every few minutes
Fast-paced games that end quickly
Best for players short on time

4. Sit and Go Tournaments

Small field, usually 6 or 9 players
Starts when the table fills
Perfect for casual play or mobile users

5. Deep Stack Tournaments

Larger starting chip stacks
Longer blind intervals for more strategic play
Favored by experienced players

6. Speed Poker or Zoom Poker

You move to a new hand immediately after folding
Faster pace with less downtime
Good for beginners or action seekers

7. Freeroll Tournaments

No entry fee required
Offers real cash prizes
Best for beginners and low-risk practice

Want in on the action? Browse our full Freeroll Poker Tournament List.

Where to Play Online Poker Tournaments in 2025

The best poker sites run daily, weekly, and monthly tournaments for all levels. Some even offer live final tables in Vegas or Monte Carlo for their biggest events.

Top online poker sites for tournament play include:

BetOnline Poker – Offers huge variety and real cash prizes
Ignition Poker – Anonymous tables and great for U.S. players
Americas Cardroom – Known for guaranteed prize pool events

Compare more options on our Best Online Poker Rooms page.

Poker Tournaments In 5 Quick Facts

Let’s break it down so it all makes sense, even if you’re brand new to tournament play:

Survival is key. If you lose all your chips, you're eliminated and out of the tournament.
Buy-ins typically include two parts: one portion goes into the prize pool, the other is a fee for the house. Example: a "$20 + $5" buy-in means $20 goes toward winnings and $5 goes to the site.
Everyone starts equal. All players receive the same starting chip stack, no advantage, no imbalance.
The last player left wins the top prize. So, if 1,000 players enter a $25 tournament, the total prize pool is $25,000.
Prizes are tiered. The top finishers, usually the top 10 to 15 percent, share the pool. First place might grab $10,000, second gets $5,000, and so on.

Final Thoughts: Why Try Online Poker Tournaments

Online poker tournaments are one of the most exciting ways to enjoy the game. You can start with a few dollars, sharpen your skills, and work your way toward serious payouts, all without leaving your couch.

Whether you're aiming for a big score, grinding daily SNGs, or just looking to have some fun, there's a seat waiting for you.