Note that this whole process could be extended to quadruple shootouts and on up. Also, the tables don't necessarily have to start at nine players each. For instance, for the 2004 WSOP, we ran triple shootouts with four-player tables (a total of 64 players in each event).

SATELLITES

A satellite is a smaller tournament in which the prize is an entry into a larger tournament. Satellites are inexpensive to enter compared with multi-table tournaments. While a multi-table tournament may carry a $200 buy-in, one can buy into a satellite for $20 and win a $200 seat in the multi-table tournament. Multi-table satellites are scheduled as regular tournaments, and the sign-up details and play are identical.

An example of how a satellite would work: The buy in for the larger tournament is $200+$20. The buy in for the satellite is $20+$2. If there are 10 entrants (into the satellite), first place will get an entry to the larger tournament. If there are 20 entrants then 1st and 2nd place will receive entry to the larger tournament. If there are 23 entrants, 1st and 2nd place will get entries to the larger tournament and 3rd place will get a $60 prize.

If there is a cost to enter either a tournament or satellite, it will be denoted by stating the buy-in amount and the entry fee. A cost of "30+3" indicates that the buy-in is $30, and the entry fee is $3. The $30 goes to the prize pool which the players compete for, while the $3 entry fee is taken as compensation for hosting the tournament.

FREEROLLS

There is another type of tournament, a "freeroll", in which entry is completely free. There is no buy-in and no entry fee, but there are cash prizes available to win. 

These tournaments can be easily found by clicking on the "Tourney" tab in the main client window, and then on the "Freeroll" tab. We hold several such events daily, leading to a Weekly Round 2 championship. 

During peak hours (6pm to 3am), these tournaments are limited to 1000 players to prevent server overload. They are very popular and you may have difficulties getting in before they fill up. The offpeak tournaments have no limit on the number of players; as well, most Freeroll tourneys are immediately followed by a micro buy in real money event (cost of playing is always $3 or less). 

SIT & GO

A sit&go event is a one or two table event that is not regularly scheduled; it simply begins when all the seats for the event are filled. These tournaments can be found by clicking on the "Sit&Go" tab in the main client window. 

We offer 5 kinds of sit&go tournaments:

Single table: 9 players. Pays top 3 places (50%-30%-20%).

Two table: 18 players; players are randomly assigned across two tables. Once nine players are eliminated, the two tables are combined into one table. Pays top 4 places (40%-30%-20%-10%).

Multi-Table: 2-table, 3-table, and 5-table Sit & Gos. Players are randomly assigned a table, nine players per table. When nine players are eliminated the remaining tables will be combined. Combining continues until there are only nine players remaining in the tournament. Information about the prizes awarded can be found by clicking on the "Prize Info" button in the tournament lobby.

Headsup: 2 players, mano a mano. Winner takes all.

Headsup 4 player match: 4 players; divided into two tables and two headsup matches are played. The two winners then play another headsup match for all the marbles. Winner takes all.

REBUY TOURNAMENTS

A rebuy tournament is one in which you have the opportunity to buy more chips during the event. In a non-rebuy tournament, when you run out of chips, you're out of the tournament. In a rebuy tourney, you can (with some restrictions) buy more chips.

Here are the facts about rebuy tournaments:

There is a "rebuy period" at the beginning of the tournament. A typical rebuy period might be the first hour of the event (until the first break starts). Once that period is over, no more rebuys are permitted.

During the rebuy period, there may be a fixed number of rebuys available, or an unlimited number. 

If you run out of chips, you will automatically be offered a rebuy (if one is available). At any time, you can click on the dealer tray and select the rebuy option. If you're not eligible for a rebuy (because you've reached the maximum number of rebuys), you'll get a message to that effect.

In general, you may rebuy any time in the middle of a hand when your stack size at the start of that hand is equal to or less than the original number of chips in the tournament. This means you can rebuy once before the tournament even starts!

There may be an "add-on" available at the end of the rebuy period. Typically this will be during the first break. An add-on is just one extra rebuy. In general, the add-on is available no matter how many chips you have. 

The rebuy may cost any amount, but generally costs the same as the original buyin, and gets you the same number of chips that you got for your original buyin.

The add-on may cost any amount, but generally costs the same as the original buyin, and gets you the same or higher number of chips that you got for your original buyin.

Rebuys are not charged a rake as is the original buyin. So if a rebuy tournament has a buyin of $10+1, then the rebuys will usually be $10 and all $10 of each rebuy will go into the prize pool.

The prize pool and payoffs will not be announced until the rebuy period ends, since the prize pool increases with each rebuy.

Note that many of the rules described above are "typical" or "normal". The exact details for each tournament will be posted in the tournament's lobby.