Deal making

What tournaments have the deal making option?

Deal making is available for most real money, multi-table tournaments where the prize pool consists only of cash. For example, deal making would not be available in a satellite tournament where some of the winners receive entry into another tournament as their payout.

How do I know if deal making is available in a tournament?

You can see if deal making is available in a tournament by going to the Tournament lobby and checking the tournament description. It will say 'Final table deal making possible' if that tournament features deal making.

How do the players at the final table initiate a deal making process?

A deal is initiated when all players at the final table select 'Yes' in the deal making table module on the table. Players can see how many of the remaining players have selected 'Yes' so far by looking at the number count next to the 'Yes' and 'No' buttons in the deal making table module. Once all players have selected 'Yes', the tournament will pause after the current hand completes and the deal making process will be initiated.

Who controls the deal making process?

The chip leader at the time of the deal is the player who controls the deal making process. If two players have the same number of chips, then the player who registered first for the tournament will given control of the deal making process.

How are the chip count payout amounts calculated?

A player's chip count payout is based on the number of chips that a player has and the remaining available prize pool. The calculation is a standard poker calculation for payouts based on the current chip count in the tournament. The calculation is as follows:

  • c (# chips) = number of chips that a player has
  • TC (# Chips) = total number of chips currently in the tournamen
  • R ($ amount) = remaining prize pool
  • NP ($ payout) = the payout that the next player eliminated will receive
  • GP ($ payout) = the payout that the player would get if the game ended immediately
  • n (# players) = number of players remaining in the tournament
  • $ Chip Count Deal Payout = [NP+[R–(n*NP)]*(c/TC)]


For example: Remaining Prize Pool = $570 Player Chips Count Deal Payout:

  • 1 [57+[570-(5*57)]*(15000/43500)] = $155.28
  • 2 [57+[570-(5*57)]*(12000/43500)] = $135.63
  • 3 [57+[570-(5*57)]*(10000/43500)] = $122.52
  • 4 [57+[570-(5*57)]*(6000/43500)] = $96.32
  • 5 [57+[570-(5*57)]*(500/43500)] = $60.28

How are the game payout amounts calculated?

A player's game payout is based on the payout percentage that the player will receive in their current position (based on chip count) if the tournament was to end immediately. The player will get this percentage of the remaining prize pool if this payout structure is chosen. For example, let's say that the following payout structure is in place: If there are four players remaining, then the 3rd place player would receive [15/(40+25+15+11) ] = (15/91) = 16.48% of the remaining prize pool.

Why do the possible payouts total more than the remaining prize pool?

If the 'Chip count' or 'Game payout' option is used, the total amount paid out can sometimes be slightly more than the total remaining prize pool balance (but never more than $0.10). This is due to rounding in the calculations. For the player's benefit, we will always round up to the next whole cent when calculating these payouts.

How do we make a custom payout deal?

A custom payout is made first by having the chip leader select 'Custom payout' in the payout options. When 'Custom payout' is selected, the input boxes under the 'Custom payout' column will become activated. The chip leader then inputs amounts in these boxes until all players agree on the amounts. The percentages and amounts do not have to add up to the total remaining prize pool as a deal can be made for only a portion of the remaining prize pool. The custom payout percentages and amounts cannot exceed 100% or the remaining total prize pool amount.

How does a deal get submitted?

A deal is submitted by the chip leader by selecting the submit button in the deal making chat window. Only the chip leader can submit the deal. The chip leader will first be asked to confirm the deal is correct and then all players, including the chip leader, will be asked to confirm the deal before it is finalized. The deal will be cancelled if any player does not confirm the deal or if their time runs out while deciding to confirm.

Are there time limits to the deal making process?

Yes, there are two sets of time limits in the deal making process. All of the players will have 30 minutes to discuss and submit a deal. Once the deal is submitted, the players will have 30 seconds to confirm the deal. If either time limit is exceeded, the deal will be cancelled and the tournament will resume.

What happens if I don't agree to a deal?

If you do not agree to the deal, the deal making process will end and the tournament will resume. Additional deals can be negotiated as long as all players agree to discuss a deal by selecting 'Yes' in the deal making table module.

Does the deal have to be for the full amount of the remaining prize pool?

No, a deal can be made for a portion of the prize pool. The amount of the deal must be enough so that at least $0.01 is distributed to each player.

When will the players get paid the deal amounts if a deal is agreed upon?

Players will be paid immediately after the deal is confirmed by all players.

Why can't I see the deal making module at a table it is available on?

There are two reasons why this might occur. One is if a multi-table tournament has started and 10 or less players have signed up for the tournament. The other is if the remaining prize pool is too low to be divided between the players so that each would have an amount greater than or equal to $0.01. For example, there are seven players remaining and the remaining prize pool is $0.05.

How many deals can be made or attempted in one tournament?

There is no limit on the number of deals that can be made or attempted in one tournament.

Can I watch the deal making process if I am not a seated player?

Yes, players that are not seated at the table can watch the deal making process by selecting the 'View deal making' link on the table once the deal making process has begun.

If a deal is made for the remaining prize pool, how is the leaderboard rank calculated?

If there is a deal made for the remaining prize pool, then the current chip counts will determine the final rank of players in the tournament for the leaderboard points calculation. If there is a tie in chip count, the tie will be broken by registration timestamp with the earlier registration receiving priority.

Will deal making details be recorded in hand history?

No, there will not be a record of the deal making chat in the hand history.

What are the disconnection and cancellation policies for deal making?

If a player is disconnected during the deal making process, the process will continue as though the player was still connected. The following scenarios can occur:,

  • The player reconnects while the deal is still taking place and still has time to participate
  • ,
  • The player does not reconnect before a time restriction has elapsed and the deal has been rejected due to all deal making time being used up
  • ,
  • Other players have rejected the deal while the player was disconnected and play has resumed
  • ,
  • The deal cannot be agreed to unless all players seated at the table approve of the deal. A disconnection is an implicit reject of the deal unless the player reconnects and confirms the deal in the allotted time.