'Overlay' in poker refers to the gap between a poker tournament's guaranteed prize pool and the actual prize pool generated by entrants.

What is Overlay in Poker?

In poker, 'Overlay' refers to the situation where a poker tournament has a guaranteed prize pool, but the total buy-ins from the players don't reach that amount. The poker room or casino has to cover the difference, which is the overlay.

Understanding Overlay

Overlays occur when a poker tournament has a guaranteed prize pool, but not enough players enter the tournament to cover that amount with their buy-ins. The tournament organizer must then contribute the remaining amount, creating extra value for the players since they are competing for a larger prize pool relative to their buy-in.

Benefits of Overlay

Overlay provides additional value for tournament players. Because the prize pool is larger than what the players' buy-ins would suggest, each player has a better chance of making money. Therefore, tournaments with overlays can be very attractive to players.

Example of "Overlay"

For instance, if a poker tournament has a guaranteed prize pool of $10,000 but only $8,000 is collected from players' buy-ins, the poker room would have to contribute the remaining $2,000. This $2,000 is the overlay.

• "He always looked for tournaments with an overlay to get the most value for his buy-in."
• "Despite the lack of players, the poker room had to cover the $2,000 overlay."
• "The tournament offered great value for players due to the significant overlay."

Overlay in Poker FAQs

What is Overlay in poker?

Overlay in poker refers to the situation where a poker tournament has a guaranteed prize pool, but the total buy-ins from the players don't reach that amount. The poker room or casino has to cover the difference, which is the overlay.

How does Overlay affect the game?

Overlay can significantly affect poker tournaments by providing additional value for the players. Since the prize pool is larger than what the players' buy-ins would suggest, each player has a better chance of making money.

How can I benefit from Overlay?

Players can benefit from overlay by entering tournaments that have a guaranteed prize pool but not enough entrants to cover that amount. These tournaments offer more value because the prize pool is larger relative to the buy-in.

Are Overlays common?

Overlays are not very common, especially in larger and more established poker rooms or casinos, as these tournaments typically attract enough players to cover the guaranteed prize pool. However, they can occasionally occur, particularly in newer or smaller tournaments.