Satellite

A tournament that pays equal prizes, usually seats in a bigger event, to everyone who survives to the end.

Last updated October 16, 2026

What it means: In a satellite, first place and the last seat win the same prize. Extra chips are worth almost nothing once you are sure of a seat, and busting is worth zero.
How it is calculated: Run ICM with equal payouts. A stack that is already safe has almost nothing to gain from any all-in, so its equity needed can approach 100%. Short stacks must gamble; big stacks fold.
Worked example: With 4 left, 3 equal seats and a 3bb stack still in, a 25bb button facing a 20bb shove needs about 87% equity to call under ICM, against 48% in chips. Aces have at most about 85% against any hand, so even aces fold.
Why it matters: Satellites are the extreme case of ICM. Playing them like a normal tournament throws away seats that were already won.