Rebuys & add-ons
A rebuy tournament isn't a freezeout with a safety net — it's a different game with its own math. Learn when another bullet is a snap-call and when it's a pure bankroll leak.
Three words, three different things
Rebuy = top up your LIVE seat while at or below starting stack. Re-entry = you busted, lost your seat, and re-register fresh. Add-on = one optional chip purchase for everyone at the break.
Why cheap busting flips your strategy
During an unlimited-rebuy period, busting just costs one more buy-in — not elimination. So getting all-in as a favorite is fine; variance can't knock you out for good yet.
Rebuy period is still open and you're down to 4bb on the button. Shove or fold?
The add-on is a chips-per-dollar question
Ignore how your stack 'looks.' Add-ons often give equal or MORE chips per dollar than the buy-in (e.g. pay for 3,000 and receive 4,000). If the rate is good and payouts run deep, everyone — even chip leaders — should take it.
You've taken your add-on and now it's a freezeout at 10bb in the BB. A 6bb button shoves all-in and you hold A8o. Call or fold?
When NOT to gamble anymore
The 'just rebuy' logic dies the moment rebuys are capped, expensive, or it's your last bullet. Single re-entry or final bullet? Revert to freezeout discipline instantly.
The re-gear into the freezeout
When rebuys and the add-on close, the field tightens and stack preservation (later ICM) takes over. A big stack you built now pressures medium stacks who suddenly can't afford to bust. Stop gambling the instant the net disappears.
- Rebuy = top up your live seat; re-entry = re-register after busting; add-on = one-time chips at the break.
- In an unlimited-rebuy period, gambling as a favorite is cheap — loosen up and play for chips.
- Take the add-on whenever chips-per-dollar is good and payouts are deep; short stacks almost always take it.
- The moment bullets are capped, expensive, or it's your last one, switch back to freezeout discipline.
- Your bullet count is limited by your bankroll, not theory — set a budget before you sit and honor it.
Test yourself
Answer them all — 20/24 to pass. Every answer gets an explanation.
What is the key difference between a rebuy and a re-entry?
A rebuy tops up an existing live seat, while a re-entry is a fresh registration after elimination.
When is the add-on offered?
The add-on is a single optional purchase offered to everyone right when the rebuy period closes.
Why is gambling as a slight favorite reasonable during an unlimited-rebuy period?
With a rebuy safety net, losing a flip costs one buy-in rather than your tournament life.
You hold pocket aces in level 2 of an unlimited-rebuy event and can get all-in against two players. What's the play?
Aces are a massive favorite and the rebuy net makes getting it in essentially free-roll.
What primarily determines whether you should take the add-on?
The add-on decision is mostly a chips-per-dollar calculation, not a stack-appearance judgment.
A short stack faces the add-on decision. What is usually correct?
For a short stack the add-on offers the best chips-per-dollar of the whole event.
In a single-re-entry event after you've used your bullet, how should you play?
Once there's no re-entry left, busting ends your tournament, so preserve your stack.
What ultimately caps the correct number of bullets you fire?
Theoretical optimal play assumes an infinite bankroll; your real limit is affordability.
Why do speculative hands like small pairs gain value during a loose rebuy period?
Set-mining is very profitable when stations will pay off your big hands.
How should you adjust your value range against rebuy-period maniacs?
Let loose opponents spew into your strong hands instead of gambling wildly yourself.
A calling station has rebought twice. You hold pocket sevens facing a raise. What's a sound plan?
Set-mining against a player who won't fold top pair is highly profitable.
Add-ons frequently offer chips at what rate compared to the initial buy-in?
Many structures give the same or bonus chips for the add-on, making it strong value.
When is skipping the add-on defensible?
Poor chips-per-dollar value or bankroll strain are the valid reasons to pass.
A big stack built during the rebuy period has what advantage in the freezeout phase?
A big stack can apply pressure once opponents must protect their tournament lives.
What is the danger of treating a two-re-entry-max event like an unlimited rebuy?
Capped re-entries punish reckless gambling by leaving you eliminated with no bullets left.
During which part of a rebuy tournament are unlimited rebuys typically available?
Rebuys are restricted to a defined early period after which play becomes a freezeout.
Why might even a chip leader take the add-on?
Extra chips at good value increase equity and leverage regardless of current stack.
What is a rebuy in the strict sense?
A rebuy tops up a still-active seat, unlike a re-entry which follows elimination.
How does correct aggression differ between an unlimited-rebuy period and a freezeout?
The rebuy safety net rewards chip accumulation that a freezeout would punish.
A useful check before taking the add-on is:
Translating the add-on into big blinds at the coming level shows if it's a meaningful boost.
Why do pots often balloon multi-way during rebuy periods?
Cheap, reversible busting encourages loose, wide, gambling play in the early window.
When does the 'just rebuy and gamble' logic break down?
Without a live, affordable safety net, freezeout discipline must return.
What happens to the field when the rebuy period and add-on close?
With no safety net left, players protect their stacks and standard MTT strategy takes over.
Before firing multiple bullets in a soft field, what should you do?
A pre-set, affordable budget prevents rebuy tournaments from wrecking your bankroll.
Review — all 24 questions & answers tap to expand
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What is the key difference between a rebuy and a re-entry?
Answer A rebuy keeps your live seat and cards; a re-entry means you busted and re-registered as a new entry
A rebuy tops up an existing live seat, while a re-entry is a fresh registration after elimination.
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When is the add-on offered?
Answer One time, at the end of the rebuy period (typically at a break)
The add-on is a single optional purchase offered to everyone right when the rebuy period closes.
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Why is gambling as a slight favorite reasonable during an unlimited-rebuy period?
Answer Because busting is cheap and reversible — you just rebuy, so variance won't eliminate you
With a rebuy safety net, losing a flip costs one buy-in rather than your tournament life.
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You hold pocket aces in level 2 of an unlimited-rebuy event and can get all-in against two players. What's the play?
Answer Get it all-in — you're a huge favorite and can rebuy if it goes wrong
Aces are a massive favorite and the rebuy net makes getting it in essentially free-roll.
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What primarily determines whether you should take the add-on?
Answer The chips-per-dollar value versus your buy-in, plus payout depth
The add-on decision is mostly a chips-per-dollar calculation, not a stack-appearance judgment.
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A short stack faces the add-on decision. What is usually correct?
Answer Take it — doubling a tiny stack for one buy-in is the cheapest chips available
For a short stack the add-on offers the best chips-per-dollar of the whole event.
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In a single-re-entry event after you've used your bullet, how should you play?
Answer With freezeout discipline — no more coin-flip gambling for chips
Once there's no re-entry left, busting ends your tournament, so preserve your stack.
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What ultimately caps the correct number of bullets you fire?
Answer Your bankroll — what you can actually afford
Theoretical optimal play assumes an infinite bankroll; your real limit is affordability.
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Why do speculative hands like small pairs gain value during a loose rebuy period?
Answer Huge implied odds — loose opponents will stack off light when you hit
Set-mining is very profitable when stations will pay off your big hands.
-
How should you adjust your value range against rebuy-period maniacs?
Answer Widen your value range and let them pay you off, rather than matching their recklessness
Let loose opponents spew into your strong hands instead of gambling wildly yourself.
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A calling station has rebought twice. You hold pocket sevens facing a raise. What's a sound plan?
Answer Call to set-mine — the implied odds against a station are enormous
Set-mining against a player who won't fold top pair is highly profitable.
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Add-ons frequently offer chips at what rate compared to the initial buy-in?
Answer An equal or even better rate, sometimes with a bonus
Many structures give the same or bonus chips for the add-on, making it strong value.
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When is skipping the add-on defensible?
Answer When the chips are expensive relative to average stack, or another buy-in genuinely hurts your bankroll
Poor chips-per-dollar value or bankroll strain are the valid reasons to pass.
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A big stack built during the rebuy period has what advantage in the freezeout phase?
Answer Leverage to pressure medium stacks who now can't afford to bust
A big stack can apply pressure once opponents must protect their tournament lives.
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What is the danger of treating a two-re-entry-max event like an unlimited rebuy?
Answer You may run out of bullets early and be out of the tournament far from the money
Capped re-entries punish reckless gambling by leaving you eliminated with no bullets left.
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During which part of a rebuy tournament are unlimited rebuys typically available?
Answer A fixed early window, often the first few levels or first 60-90 minutes
Rebuys are restricted to a defined early period after which play becomes a freezeout.
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Why might even a chip leader take the add-on?
Answer More chips mean more equity and more room to apply pressure, if the rate is good
Extra chips at good value increase equity and leverage regardless of current stack.
-
What is a rebuy in the strict sense?
Answer Buying a fresh or top-up stack while your seat is still live and at/below the threshold
A rebuy tops up a still-active seat, unlike a re-entry which follows elimination.
-
How does correct aggression differ between an unlimited-rebuy period and a freezeout?
Answer You can gamble more for chips during unlimited rebuys because busting is cheap and reversible
The rebuy safety net rewards chip accumulation that a freezeout would punish.
-
A useful check before taking the add-on is:
Answer How many big blinds it buys you at the next level
Translating the add-on into big blinds at the coming level shows if it's a meaningful boost.
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Why do pots often balloon multi-way during rebuy periods?
Answer Loose gamblers play wide ranges and dump stacks knowing they can rebuy
Cheap, reversible busting encourages loose, wide, gambling play in the early window.
-
When does the 'just rebuy and gamble' logic break down?
Answer When rebuys are capped, expensive, or it's your last bullet
Without a live, affordable safety net, freezeout discipline must return.
-
What happens to the field when the rebuy period and add-on close?
Answer The tournament becomes a freezeout and the field generally tightens
With no safety net left, players protect their stacks and standard MTT strategy takes over.
-
Before firing multiple bullets in a soft field, what should you do?
Answer Set a firm buy-in budget you can afford and honor it
A pre-set, affordable budget prevents rebuy tournaments from wrecking your bankroll.