$Poker Room
Intermediate

Poker Tournament Overlay

Complete Advantage Play Strategy Guide

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Poker Room

Quick Stats

Expected Edge

Varies (20-100% ROI possible)

Bankroll Required

Medium ($2,000-5,000)

Time to Learn

2-4 weeks

Additional Metrics

target Overlay
20%+ of prize pool
frequency Found
Moderate
skill Required
Moderate

Overview

When casinos guarantee a prize pool larger than the entry fees collected, creating immediate value. Combined with weak fields, these can be extremely profitable.

Strategy

Identify tournaments with guaranteed prize pools that unlikely to be met. Calculate overlay amount. Adjust for field strength. Enter tournaments with positive expectation even assuming break-even poker play.

What to Look For

  • Large guaranteed prize pools
  • New or struggling card rooms
  • Bad timing (weekday afternoon tournaments)
  • Promotional periods with added money
  • Small buy-ins with large guarantees

Risks & Considerations

  • Overlay can disappear if field is larger than expected
  • Tournament variance is extreme
  • Time investment can be 8-12 hours
  • Skill edge still needed to profit
  • Casinos may cancel if overlay too large

Pro Tip

Always start with proper bankroll management. Even with an edge, variance can be brutal. Never risk more than 1-2% of your total bankroll on a single session, and ensure you have at least 20-30 buy-ins for your chosen stakes.

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