Satellite
A smaller tournament where the prize is entry into a larger, more expensive tournament rather than cash.
iGaming Journalist & Crypto Casino Analyst
What Is Satellite?
Satellites let players with smaller bankrolls win their way into events they couldn't otherwise afford, such as a $10,000 buy-in main event. Payout structures are often flat, awarding an equal number of seats to however many players qualify, which changes optimal strategy near the bubble.
Examples
A $200 satellite awarding one $2,000 Main Event seat to the top finisher.
Online sites running daily satellites that feed into major live tournament series.
Strategy Tips
Because the prize is a fixed seat rather than a cash payout, chip accumulation beyond what's needed to secure a seat has little value. Play tighter than usual once you're near the number of guaranteed seats, since min-cashing is just as good as being chip leader. Early on, still play solid poker to build a cushion, but shift to a survival-focused, ICM-aware strategy as the bubble approaches. Avoid unnecessary coin-flip situations once you have a comfortable stack relative to the seat cutoff.