Your complete guide to poker staking explained. Practical tips, step-by-step instructions, and expert advice for online poker players.
How Poker Staking and Backing Deals Work
Staking allows players to compete at higher stakes without risking their own money. Understanding the structure of backing deals helps you decide if staking is right for you.
What Is Staking?
A backer provides the buy-in funds for a poker player. In return, they receive a percentage of the player's profits. The player risks nothing financially but shares their upside. Common splits range from 50/50 to 70/30 in favor of the player.
Types of Deals
Fixed staking: backer funds specific tournaments or sessions. Package deals: backer funds a set of tournaments over a period. Long-term backing: ongoing arrangement with makeup (losses that must be recovered before profit splits).
Makeup Explained
Makeup is the accumulated losses the player owes the backer. Before any profit split, the player must first recover all makeup. If you lose $5,000 in month one and win $3,000 in month two, you still owe $2,000 in makeup.
Finding Staking
GGPoker has built-in staking features. Online forums and Discord communities connect players with backers. Staking platforms like StakeKings facilitate deals. Always use a written contract specifying terms clearly.
Pros and Cons
Pros: play higher stakes, reduced financial risk, learning opportunities. Cons: shared profits reduce your earnings, makeup pressure, less autonomy. Staking is best for skilled players who lack bankroll but have proven results.