In poker, an overlay happens in a guaranteed prize pool tournament when the total buy-ins from players don’t add up to the guaranteed amount. The poker room or organizer has to cover the difference—essentially adding free money to the prize pool.
For example, if a tournament guarantees $100,000 but only collects $85,000 from entries, there’s a $15,000 overlay. That shortfall is great for the players, because it means less competition for the same or more money.
Overlays usually happen when a tournament is:
Online poker sites sometimes even intentionally create overlays to attract more players and generate buzz.
An overlay is like a discount or a bonus for tournament players—more value, same buy-in. When you spot one, it’s usually a smart time to jump in.
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