GGPOKER

Play bigger without risking bigger

You’ve been crushing your current stake for months. Your win rate is solid, your sample size is significant, and you’re ready to move up. There’s just one problem: your bankroll isn’t quite there. Moving up means taking a shot with money you can’t really afford to lose.

This is where staking changes everything.

GGPoker’s built-in staking feature connects players with backers directly through the platform. There are no sketchy forum deals and no third-party escrow. Just a streamlined system that lets talented players compete at higher stakes while investors put their money behind proven results.

Whether you’re a player looking for backing or an investor seeking the next poker talent, here’s everything you need to know.

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What Is Poker Staking?

Staking is a financial arrangement in which a backer provides funds for a player to compete, in exchange for a percentage of the profits. Think of it like an investor funding a startup. The backer takes on the financial risk; the player provides the skill and time.

A typical staking deal might look like this:

• Backer provides funds for tournament buy-ins
• The Player plays with that money
• Profits are split based on the agreed percentage
• If the player loses the stake, they owe nothing (in most deals)

Staking has existed in poker for decades, but traditionally, it required trust between strangers, complicated tracking, and frequent disputes. GGPoker’s integrated system solves all of these problems.

How GGPoker’s Staking Feature Works

GGPoker is the first online poker platform to offer integrated tournament staking. The feature is built directly into the software and mobile app and is available for individual tournaments.

For Players Selling Action

1. Register for a tournament – The staking option appears in the tournament lobby
2. Set your markup – Decide how much above face value you’re charging (e.g., 1.1x means backers pay 10% premium)
3. Choose how much to sell – Sell any percentage of your action, from 1% to your full buy-in
4. Wait for buyers – Backers can purchase a share while registration is open
5. Play and profit – Winnings are automatically distributed based on the percentages sold

For Backers Buying Action

1. Open any tournament lobby – Select the “Staking” tab on the left
2. Browse available players – See who’s selling and review their tournament stats from PokerCraft
3. Evaluate the markup – Decide if the premium is fair based on their track record
4. Purchase shares – Buy in 1% increments (0.1% for events with buy-ins of $5,000 or more)
5. Receive automatic payouts – All winnings are credited directly to your account based on the percentage purchased

Key protections: Players cannot oversell themselves. They cannot run with backer funds or profits. The exact agreed percentages are paid out automatically. If a player doesn’t play, the stake is automatically refunded.

No fees: GGPoker charges nothing for this service.

Understanding GGPoker Staking Terms

GGPoker’s staking system streamlines the traditional poker backing process. Here are the key terms:

Term	Definition	GGPoker Details
Selling	The percentage of action the Player offers	The Player sets this for each tournament
Sold	How much has already been purchased by Backers	Displayed in real-time in the lobby
Markup	Premium charged above face value	1.0x = no premium, 1.2x = 20% premium
Share Increment	Minimum purchase amount	1% (or 0.1% for $5k+ events)

Key Difference: No Makeup on GGPoker

Traditional staking often involves “makeup” – accumulated losses that must be repaid before profits are split. GGPoker’s system is different:

• Each tournament is independent
• Losses do not carry forward between tournaments
• Backers receive their share of any wins immediately
• If you bust, backers simply lose their stake

This makes GGPoker staking simpler and less risky for players. There’s no debt accumulation, no buyout calculations, and no long-term obligations.

What Makes a Player Stakeable?

Backers look for specific qualities:

Proven Results

This is non-negotiable. Backers can see your PokerCraft statistics, including:

• ITM (In the Money) percentage – a good target is 15-20%
• Tournament ROI over your sample
• Results at similar buy-in levels

Your PokerCraft profile is your resume. Backers will evaluate whether your markup is fair based on your track record.

Reasonable Expectations

A $5 tournament player asking for backing in $500 events raises red flags. Backers prefer incremental jumps. If you’re beating $20 MTTs, seeking backing for $50-100 events makes sense. Jumping straight to $500 doesn’t.

Professional Attitude

Backers invest in people, not just statistics. They want players who:

• Communicate clearly and promptly
• Honor commitments
• Handle variance maturely
• Treat poker as a business

Volume Commitment

A backer’s return depends on you playing enough hands. Be realistic about how much volume you can maintain. Overpromising and underdelivering will destroy staking relationships.

Tips for Backers

If you’re buying action rather than selling, here are key considerations:

• Check PokerCraft stats – Look for ITM percentages between 15-20%
• Evaluate markup vs results – Don’t pay 1.2x markup for a player with minimal sample
• Consider tournament format – PKOs (Progressive Knockouts) are often best for staking because early registration is actually advantageous
• Use Staking Chat – You can communicate directly with players to ask questions
• Diversify – Spread your stakes across multiple players to reduce variance

View your staking history in PokerCraft under the “Staking” section to track your results as a backer.

Getting Started with GGPoker Staking

Ready to sell action? The process is simple:

1. Build Your Track Record

Play tournaments at your current stakes for several months. Your PokerCraft statistics are visible to potential backers, so focus on building a solid sample with good ITM rates.

2. Set Reasonable Markup

For your first time selling action, consider starting at 1.0x or 1.05x markup. As you build a track record of success with backers, you can increase your markup.

3. Choose the Right Tournaments

PKOs (Progressive Knockouts) work particularly well for staking because:

• Early registration is +EV (unlike regular MTTs where late reg is often better)
• Backers must register at the start, so PKO timing works naturally
• Bounty payouts provide more frequent returns for backers

4. Sell What You’re Comfortable With

You don’t have to sell 100% of yourself. Many players sell 50-80% to reduce their own risk while keeping skin in the game. This shows backers you believe in yourself.

Common Staking Mistakes

Avoid these pitfalls:

• Setting markup too high – Without results to justify it, high markup scares off backers
• Selling before building a sample – Backers check your PokerCraft stats; a thin track record means no sales
• Only selling in one tournament type – Diversify across formats to attract different backers
• Ignoring your own stats – If you’re not profitable, staking won’t change that
• Selling 100% every time – Keep some skin in the game to show you believe in yourself

When Staking Makes Sense

Staking isn’t for everyone. It makes sense when:

• You have proven results, but a limited bankroll
• You want to reduce variance at higher stakes
• You’re ready to treat poker professionally
• You can commit to a significant volume

Staking doesn’t make sense when:

• You’re still learning the game
• You can’t demonstrate consistent profits
• You’re not willing to be accountable to someone else
• You want freedom to play however you want

Key Takeaways

• GGPoker staking is tournament-only – Available on a per-tournament basis through the lobby’s Staking tab.
• No fees – GGPoker charges nothing for the staking service
• No makeup – Each tournament is independent; losses do not carry forward
• Built-in protections – Players can’t oversell or run with the funds; payouts are automatic
• Markup matters – Set reasonable markup (1.0-1.05) until you build a track record
• PKOs are ideal – Progressive Knockouts work well with GGPoker’s staking system

Your Next Move

If staking interests you, start building your case today. Play seriously, track everything, and let your results speak for themselves. The staking marketplace rewards players who can demonstrate consistent, documented profit.

Check out the staking section in GGPoker. Browse player profiles to see what successful staked players look like. Note their statistics, how they present themselves, and what terms they offer.

Your bankroll shouldn’t be the ceiling on your potential, and with the right backing, it doesn’t have to be.

Prove your edge, find your backer, and start competing where you belong.