GGMasters - Overlay Edition - FAQ and Summary

What is the GGMasters Overlay Edition?
GGMasters Overlay Edition is a special version of the flagship GGMasters tournament. It features a guaranteed prize pool of $10m and a sure overlay, meaning that the prize pool will exceed the amount generated from player buy-ins.

This allows players to win more money than a standard tournament and adds extra value to their buy-in. The GGMasters Overlay Edition is a popular event for recreational and professional players, as it offers a high-stakes tournament experience with the potential for substantial rewards.

Also, as the GGMasters is a freezeout tournament, players cannot gain an advantage by having super deep pockets and rebuying constantly. Players will be permitted one entry per Day 1 event (maximum 9 entries in total)


When does the GGMasters Overlay edition take place?
The GGMasters Overlay Edition will take place from February 9th to February 27th. Qualifying events and satellites will commence on the 9th, with Day 1 events running from the 19th to the 27th. On the final day, Monday, February 27th, the remaining players will compete in the Day 2 event, which begins at 19:00 UTC.

What is an overlay?
In poker, an overlay refers to a situation where a tournament's prize pool exceeds the players' total buy-ins. This creates a situation where the tournament operator must make up the difference, essentially "overlaying" their own money into the prize pool. This benefits the players as it increases their expected value, as they are effectively playing with "house money."

For example, if a tournament has a guaranteed prize pool of $100,000 and only generates $80,000 in player buy-ins, there would be a $20,000 overlay. This means that the players are effectively playing for more money than they have contributed, creating an opportunity for them to win a larger prize.

Overlays are generally seen as a positive for players, as they increase the value of the tournament and offer the potential for larger payouts. However, they are also a risk for the tournament host, as they must cover the additional funds if the tournament does not generate enough player buy-ins.

What is a freezeout tournament?
A freezeout in poker is a tournament format where players cannot rebuy chips once they have lost all their initial stack, and must compete with the chips they have until one player remains.

What is the buy-in?
The buy-in for the GGMasters Overlay Edition is US$150.

What is the guaranteed prize pool for the event?
The GGMasters Overlay Edition guarantees a prize pool of $10 million. Should the prize pool exceed $9 million or even make the advertised guarantee of $10 million, the prize pool will be increased personally by GGPoker Global Ambassador Daniel Negreanu. Hence, there is a guaranteed overlay of $1 million.

Final payouts will be determined at the end of the last Day 1 event once the starting field for Day 2 is finalised and the prize pool is known.

Is there a list of all the Day 1 (Flights/Phases) available?
All times are UTC

How many Day 1 (Flights/Phases) can I play?
Each Day 1 event is a Freezeout, so players can have a single entry in each Day 1 event.
9 is the maximum number of entries permitted by a single player (one entry in each Day 1 event)

If I make Day 2 (Final Day), will I be guaranteed to be in the money (ITM)?
Yes, all players who qualify from a Day 1 event will start Day 2 [Final Day] in the money

I’ve already qualified for Day 2. What happens if I play another Day 1?
You can play up to 9 Day 1 (Flights/Phases). However, you can only bring your biggest stack to Day 2 (Final Day). All other qualifying stacks will be forfeited and those chips removed from play

Can I play in any of the Day 1 events? even though I don't reside in that location?
Yes, The names of the Day 1 events are just an indication of the peak timezone, feel free to play whichever Day 1 is the best for you.

What is the structure of the event?
This is a 2-day event, with 9 day 1 flights, from which players will qualify for the Day 2 event, where the event will play to a conclusion.

What satellites will be available?
There will be a wide range of Satellites, Step Satellites and Freerolls with a wide range of buy-ins

#BiggerBetter Freerolls
GGPoker is running hourly freerolls, each awarding entries to a $15 satellite.
Players can play 1 freeroll per 24-hour period 00:00 UTC - 23:59 UTC
Attempts to enter more than 1 freeroll in 24 hours will be blocked
Only one entry per device/IP address will be permitted
Freerolls are capped at 2000 entries. Once this is reached, registration will be closed

I won a ticket to the tournament in a satellite tournament. What happens to it if I don't or cannot use it?
Tickets won via pay-to-enter satellites will be converted to T$ automatically after the event. Tickets obtained via Freerolls or any promotion must be used to enter the event or they will expire with no value.

I won a ticket to the tournament in a promotion/giveaway. What happens if I don't use it?
If you are lucky enough to have won or been given a ticket to the event. For example, in the GGMasters overlay edition daily leaderboards.
You must use it to play or it will expire without value. No replacement tickets or prizes will be offered for expired, unused or unusable promotional tickets

I played in a different tournament that included a ticket as part of my prize. Do I have to use it?
No - however, you will be missing out on the amazing value of the GGMasters Overlay edition. If you do not wish to use it, it will be converted to T$ once the GGMasters overlay edition is over

I have more than one ticket for this event. Do I have to use them?
No - However this is going to be the biggest value event of the year so you wont want to miss it and you can play multiple Day 1 events to try and qualify for Day 2 with the biggest possible starting stack however if you choose not to use the tickets the following policy will apply.

Tickets won via pay-to-enter satellites will be converted to T$ automatically after the event. Tickets obtained via Freerolls or any promotion must be used to enter the event or they will expire with no value.

Can I sell action (sell stakes) for the GGMasters Overlay Edition?
Yes, however, this can only be done if you make Day 2 of the event

Can I buy action (buy stakes) for the GGMasters Overlay Edition?
Yes, Players who qualify for Day 2 of the event can offer staking for this tournament.

What is the maximum percentage I can sell?
As per our standard staking rules, the maximum amount of action any player can sell of their tournament is 90%

What is the minimum percentage I can sell?
Stakes can be sold in increments of 1%, so the minimum amount that can be sold is 1%

It says that stakes will be subject to ‘Adjusted Markup’. What is this?
Adjusted markup is applied to staking in multi-day events as players start with varying amounts of chipsIf we did not apply an Adjusted markup, everyone would buy the action from the player with the biggest chip stack, whilst players with smaller stacks would find it difficult to compete, so an Adjusted markup is an algorithm which is applied to make it more expensive to buy stakes in players with larger starting stacks and cheaper in those with smaller stacks. So you must use your skill and judgement to find the best value for your staking money.

I cannot sell action in my Day 1 (Flight/Phase). Why is this?
As players can play multiple Day 1 events, but are only permitted to carry one stack forward to Day 2, its not possible to offer action for Day 1 of this event as even if the player makes it to Day 2, this may not be the stack they take forward.