What is an Add-On in Online Gambling?
An Add-On is an optional purchase feature in poker tournaments that allows players to buy additional chips at a set price during or after a specified period, typically following the rebuy phase. Add-Ons give players a chance to increase their chip stack without waiting for natural accumulation through wins. This feature is common in tournament play, particularly in poker, and helps manage player elimination rates while generating additional revenue for operators.
How Add-Ons Work in Poker Tournaments
Add-Ons are typically offered at a fixed price and provide a set number of chips. Unlike rebuys, which occur when a player loses all chips, Add-Ons can be purchased by any remaining player during the designated window, regardless of their current stack. The price per chip in an Add-On is usually equal to or better than the initial buy-in rate, making it an economical way to strengthen your position before late-stage play begins.
Add-Ons vs. Rebuys and Re-Entries
Add-Ons differ from rebuys in timing and eligibility. A rebuy occurs only after a player’s chips are depleted, while an Add-On is available to all players during a specific window. Re-entries, by contrast, allow players to re-enter a tournament with a fresh buy-in after elimination. Add-Ons typically occur once, near the end of the rebuy period, and represent a final opportunity to increase stack depth before the tournament enters its middle stages.
Add-On | Rebuy |
|---|---|
| Available to all remaining players | Only available after losing all chips |
| Offered once during fixed window | Can occur multiple times per tournament |
| Better value per chip typically | Same price as initial buy-in |
