Mystery bounty tournaments: how they work
In a mystery bounty tournament, part of the prize pool goes into hidden bounties of different sizes. When you knock a player out during the bounty phase, you win a bounty — but you don’t know how much until it’s revealed, like opening a prize envelope. Some bounties are small; a few can be very large.
Exact rules — when bounties start, how they’re drawn, the bounty sizes — differ by room and event, so read the tournament lobby or structure sheet.
How it usually works
Section titled “How it usually works”- You buy in; part of each buy-in goes to the regular prize pool, part to the bounty pool.
- In many events, bounties are only awarded in the later stage — often once players are in the money or from a set day/level.
- When you eliminate someone in that phase, you draw a random bounty (online it’s revealed on screen; live often from an envelope or draw).
How it differs from PKO
Section titled “How it differs from PKO”| Progressive knockout (PKO) | Mystery bounty | |
|---|---|---|
| Bounty value | Known; grows as players collect bounties | Hidden until revealed |
| When bounties pay | From the start | Often only in the later stage |
| Strategy | You can calculate each bounty’s value | You use the average bounty value |
See PKO strategy.
Strategy tips
Section titled “Strategy tips”- Before the bounty phase, play a normal tournament: survive and build a stack. See tournament strategy.
- During the bounty phase, calls to knock players out are worth more, because you win the average bounty on top of the chips. Call a bit wider when you cover a short stack.
- Don’t overdo it: chasing bounties with weak hands can cost your own tournament life.
- Remember the reveal is random — the expected value is what matters, not hoping for the top prize.
See also tournament types.
What is a mystery bounty tournament?
Section titled “What is a mystery bounty tournament?”A tournament where eliminating a player wins a hidden random bounty, revealed after the knockout.
When do mystery bounties start?
Section titled “When do mystery bounties start?”It depends on the event; often only in the later stage, for example once players are in the money.
How is mystery bounty different from PKO?
Section titled “How is mystery bounty different from PKO?”In PKO bounty values are known and grow; in mystery bounty they are hidden until revealed.
How should I adjust strategy in a mystery bounty?
Section titled “How should I adjust strategy in a mystery bounty?”Play normally before bounties start; then call a bit wider to knock out covered short stacks.