Online Bounty Poker Tournaments

Many of the top poker websites online now offer tournaments where a portion of each players buy-in goes directly to the player who knocks them out. These are called bounty tournaments, and can be played in sit & go or multi-table formats.

Online bounty tournaments require a different style of play than regular tournaments, and more courage as well. If you’re a nit at the poker tables, bounty tournaments are not for you. These kinds of tournaments require that players be willing to go all-in with hands that are weaker than they normally would. This creates situations where players need to weigh the odds against the potential payoff of a bounty.

Single-Table Sit & Go Bounty Tournaments

Sit & go bounty tournaments are the most popular bounties you’ll find. At sites they’re offered on, tables fill up quickly. Most single-table sit & go’s take ½ of each players buy-in for the bounty, and the other half gets put into the prize pool for the top three finishers in the tournament. For example, in a $10 bounty tournament, $5 is placed on your head, and $5 goes into the prize pool.

Since the bounties are so big, the action in these tournaments can get crazy. It’s not uncommon to see weak hands calling all-ins, especially when big stacks have a shot to take out a short stack. Although low-stakes sit & go tournaments usually have a low quality of play overall, it’s far worse in bounties. In low stakes bounties of £2 – £10, people will call all-ins with very weak hands. As you move up into larger buy-in bounty SNG’s, players are looking for better hands to call with. The crazy action can be frustrating or exciting, depending if you win or lose.

Players who use poker statistics software (like Poker Tracker or Holdem Manager) as they play have a distinct advantage in bounty tournaments. Being able to compare your odds to win the hand versus the chips you have to risk and the bounty you could win is very important. Many players will take their shot just hoping to get lucky, while smarter players will make sure they stay in the tournament and have a better shot at taking bounties later. It’s very common to see an all-in player get called by multiple opponents, so when there are players behind you left to act, you want to know you have a good chance at winning the hand. Also, since ½ of the buy-ins go to the top three finishers, there’s other money to go after. We want to win bounties when we can, but should only go after them when it makes sense.

Multi-Table Bounty Tournaments

Multi-table bounty tournaments come in a wider variety, with more players and different sized bounties. Instead of 50% bounties, they’re often in the range of 20-30% of the total buy-in. So, a £10, multi-table bounty tournament might have a bounty of £2 or £3 instead of £5. In these types of bounty tournaments, action is less aggressive than single table SNG’s because the bounties are smaller. Players want to knock out their opponents, but don’t want to risk their entire tournament on smaller bounties.

In multi-table bounty tournaments, it’s a good idea to see a lot of cheap flops while the blinds are small. The idea is, if you can become a big stack at your table, you’ll be able to go after bounties with less risk of going broke. So, play more suited connectors and a wider range of hands in late position. If you can make a funky straight or well disguised hand, you’re more likely to get paid off in a bounty tournament than other tournaments. This is because more players are seeing flops, and more players are looking to create a big stack early.

Basic Bounty Tournament Strategy & Tips

Don’t be afraid to bet big in any type of bounty tournament you play (when you are likely to have the best hand). Start building pots when you hit big flops, don’t hope that someone behind you bets at it. You’re likely to get called if you bet, but you can’t let strange draws get a free card on the turn. You want to start building a pot right there on the flop when you have the best of it, making it harder for your opponents to fold later in the hand.

In small stakes bounties, beware of check-call, check-call, all-in players. In a regular sit & go, it’s more likely they’re bluffing the river than in a bounty tournament. The reason is, a lot of small stakes bounty players try to hide the strength of their hand by check-calling all the way down, trying to give you the impression they’re weak and bluffing on the river. When you’re playing bounties, remember that players are trying to get your entire stack. Many players would rather show weakness and try to get your chips on the river, rather than bet the flop and scare you away. In a regular sit & go, most players are trying to win smaller pots with less risk. So, they’re more likely to bet a big flop in a regular sit & go, and more likely to check it in a bounty. Don’t fall into these kinds of traps, and be willing to fold made hands when you see this.

In single table sit & go bounty tournaments when you find yourself short stacked with only 5 players left, forget about winning bounties and shift your strategy into making it into the top 3. You may not have enough chips to eliminate opponents anyway, but other players will remain active. Bigger stacks will still be looking to knock out other players, and it’s not uncommon for short stacks to slide into the money by playing more conservatively at this point. At single table bounties, third place usually pays an amount equal to your original buy-in, minus the tournament fees. So, in a £5 + .50 bounty, the payout for third place is usually £5. You’ll have most of your buy-in back, plus the chance to make a profit if you can move into 2nd or 1st.