GGPoker just set a new GGPoker overlay record with the largest online poker overlay ever documented. The GGMasters 6th Anniversary event closed with a staggering $1,791,760 overlay, making online poker history.
Record-Breaking $1.79M Overlay
The GGMasters Freezeout 6th Anniversary featured a massive $10 million guarantee with a $150 buy-in. Despite seven starting flights spread across two weekends, the tournament fell short of its ambitious target.
When registration closed on the final Last Chance flight Monday, February 9th, the overlay stood at $1,791,760. This needed approximately 8,700 additional entries in the final two hours to break even, but the field couldn’t reach that threshold.
Biggest Online Poker Overlays
GGPoker’s $1.79 million overlay demolishes previous online poker records. It beats the 2024 PokerBaazi GOAT overlay ($1.4 million) and the 2020 PokerStars Big Blowout overlay ($1.23 million).
In the context of all poker history—including live events—this ranks as the third-largest overlay ever. Only two live tournaments exceeded this figure: the 2014 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open ($2.5M) and the 2023 WPT World Championship ($2.4M).
| Year | Tournament | Buy-in | Guarantee | Overlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open | $5,300 | $10M | $2.5M |
| 2020 | PokerStars Big Blowout | $109 | $5M | $1.23M |
| 2023 | WPT World Championship | $10,400 | $40M | $2.4M |
| 2024 | PokerBaazi GOAT | $120 | $2.975M | $1.4M |
| 2026 | GGPoker GGMasters 6th Anniversary | $150 | $10M | $1.791M |
Why Did GGPoker Miss the Guarantee?
The $10 million guarantee represented an aggressive doubling from last year’s cancelled $5 million event. GGPoker kept the buy-in at just $150, creating exceptional value but requiring massive participation.
Several factors likely contributed to the overlay:
- Freezeout Format: No re-entries meant players got only one shot per flight, limiting total entries
- Guarantee Doubled: Jumping from $5M to $10M may have overestimated player demand
- Recent Cancellation: The 2025 technical issues that cancelled Day 2 may have impacted player confidence
- February Timing: Post-holiday period with less recreational traffic than peak months
Despite the overlay, GGPoker honored the full $10 million guarantee. Players who qualified received exceptional value, with prize pool money effectively subsidized by the platform.
The $1.8M Overlay in Poker Terms
To put the $1.8 million GGPoker overlay record in perspective for poker players, here’s what that represents in our world:
- 12,000 tournament buy-ins: Enough $150 entries to play the GGMasters every week for the next 230 years
- 1,800 WPT Main Event seats: Buy into $1,000 WPT tournaments for the rest of your life and beyond
- Complete bankroll for 90 pros: A solid $20,000 tournament bankroll for 90 grinders to play mid-stakes MTTs professionally
- 180 WSOP Main Event seats: Enough $10,000 buy-ins to fire the World Series Main Event for nearly two centuries
- 6,000 satellite entries: Buy 6,000 x $300 satellites and never pay full price for a major tournament again
GGPoker’s Long-Term Strategy
The WPT faced a similar situation in 2023 with a $2.4 million overlay in their World Championship. The company accepted the loss as part of their long-term growth strategy, viewing guarantees as investments in player trust and brand building.
GGPoker faces a similar strategic decision. While $1.8 million won’t break the bank for the world’s largest online poker room, it raises questions about future guarantees. Will GGPoker maintain $10 million guarantees for $150 tournaments, or adjust their approach?
The overlay demonstrates GGPoker’s commitment to player value. Honoring the full guarantee builds trust and positions the platform as player-friendly, even when it costs them significant money.
What This Means for Players
Exceptional Tournament Value: Players who entered the GGMasters 6th Anniversary received nearly $1.8 million in extra prize pool value. Every dollar invested got amplified by GGPoker’s subsidy.
Freezeout Advantage: The no-reentry format meant skilled players couldn’t buy their way back in, creating a more level playing field that favored strategy over bankroll depth.
Future Opportunities: Historic overlays often lead operators to adjust guarantees or formats. Watch for potential value in upcoming GGMasters events as GGPoker recalibrates.
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