Add-On in Poker | Meaning & Tournament Rule

An add-on in poker is the ability to buy more chips during a tournament. This usually happens during a designated break. Unlike rebuys, add-ons are actually available even if you still have chips left, which can give you extra ammunition to continue competing.

What Does Add-On Mean in a Tournament?

Let’s get the rule clear, who is eligible, and when can they do it?

• Timing: Add-ons usually happen at the end of the rebuy period during a tournament and often during a scheduled break.
• Eligibility: All players are eligible; you could be short-stacked or a chip leader, anyone can purchase them.
• Cost: Usually, the cost is the same as the buy-in amount, but the chip amount may sometimes be higher than the original starting stack.

Understanding when and how add-ons work can not only help you manage your bankroll more efficiently, but also ensure you don’t miss a key opportunity to build yourself a competitive stack at a crucial point in the tournament. Especially when others are doing the same.

Add-On vs. Rebuy: What’s the Difference?

These two terms can often get confused, so here’s the breakdown:

• Rebuy: You can only rebuy if you’ve lost all (or sometimes most) of your chips.
• Add-On: You can add chips regardless of your stack size, but only during the designated add-on break. A great way to build a good amount of chips.
• Key Difference: Add-ons are guaranteed opportunities, and rebuys depend on busting out.

Make sure to clearly separate the add-on rule from rebuys; you’ll avoid costly mistakes this way, and you can craft a more deliberate tournament strategy that takes full advantage of both rules when available.

Example of an Add-On in Play

Tournament: $50 Rebuy + Add-On NLHE Event

• Players start with 5,000 chips.
• After two hours of play, there’s a 10-minute break.
• Each player can add-on 5,000 chips for $50, regardless of their current stack.

This kind of structured add-on period can completely reset the balance of power in a tournament. It can give short stacks new life and let chip leaders enhance their advantage with even more ammo.

FAQs

Do all tournaments allow add-ons?
No. It depends on the structure; some have them, some don’t. Always make sure to check before you buy in!

How is an add-on different from a rebuy?
Add-ons are available to all players at a set time, usually during a break, whereas rebuys are only for players who lose all (or most) of their stack.

Is it always worth taking the add-on?
Most pros will say yes, as it maximizes your chips and therefore increases your chance of making a deep run in the tournament.