Explanation of Satellite
A Satellite tournament (also known as a “qualifier”) is a poker tournament where the prize is not cash, but a seat or ticket into a larger event.
Online poker sites often offer a chain of satellites, sometimes called “steps”. In this format, winning a smaller satellite (often referred to as Step 1) awards entry into a higher-level satellite (Step 2), and so on, until a seat in the target tournament is won.
The main purpose of satellite tournaments is to make high buy-in events accessible to players with smaller bankrolls. Many major poker events, including the WSOP, offer satellites that allow players to qualify online for a fraction of the full buy-in.
Unlike regular poker tournaments, satellite events do not award increasing cash prizes based on finishing position.
Example: Many major poker tournaments offer satellite events that allow players to win entry tickets online.
Key Characteristics of Poker Satellites
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Prize type | Seats or tickets to a larger tournament |
| Payout structure | Multiple players receive identical prizes |
| Guaranteed seats | A fixed number of seats is awarded, rather than a cash prize pool |
| Buy-in level | Significantly lower than the target tournament |
| Typical use | Qualifying for major live or online poker events |
Do Satellite Tournaments Pay Cash?
In most cases, satellite tournaments do not pay cash prizes. Instead, they award seats or tickets to a larger event. Cash payouts are rare and usually limited to very specific formats.
See Also
Tournament, Bubble, ICM, Fold, WSOP
