Buying a Piece of the Action

Buying a piece of the action is often referred to as “staking” or “staking a player.” It occurs when investors, AKA backers, provide financial support to a player to enter a tournament in exchange for a portion of the player’s winnings. The player and the investor(s) agree on the terms of the stake, including the percentage of the player’s winnings that the investor will receive in return for providing the entry fee. Additional items negotiated are markups/premiums that star players receive, travel, and accommodations, etc. For players, it spreads their risk and extends their bankroll. The investor gets bragging rights.