Most of the time, when a player goes broke in a poker game, that's the end. However, select online poker tournaments allow players to use something called a tournament rebuy. Instead of accepting the fact that luck is just not on their side, players can choose to buy their way back into the tournament. Players have to be careful though and exercise careful strategies for using the tournament rebuy correctly.

Virtual Refresh Button

If a player has performed badly in the beginning parts of a poker tournament, then the tournament rebuy can be used as a virtual refresh button. After players go completely broke early in the game, they can repurchase a set amount of coins. Once the purchase is made, the player can reenter the tournament with none of his or her losses counting against the present performance. This can be a great strategy for players as they are now fresh in the tournament while several other players have reached the end of their own reserves.

Restrictions on the Tournament Rebuy

Most casinos will place limitations on the tournament rebuy. For example, most casinos will only allow players to buy their way back into the tournament in the earliest stages of the game. If players lose their money in the later stages or after a set amount of time, they are out of luck. Players also may not purchase more than their initial buy in, but they may usually purchase between half and the full amount that they originally used to enter the tournament.

The tournament rebuy can be a great strategy for players who prefer to play aggressively. Even if they lose early on, they can continue to play if they rebuy their chips.