A poker freezeout is a type of tournament in which players only get one chance. Once they bust out, they’re done. This is unlike other tournament types that allow reentries or rebuys, which allow players to enter the same competition after they lose their stack. Freezeout can also be played in a shootout format.
Nowadays, most tournaments have switched to the reentry format, but the WSOP Main Event is one of the best examples of a poker freezeout that manages to survive.
In this tournament, players pay their $10,000 buy-in and get one shot, so even reaching ITM is a big deal. Whether they lose their stack after just a single hand or after five days of play during the ICM stage, the tournament is over for them. There is no option to enter the same tournament again until the next year. Learn more about freezeout tournaments.
