Designated Backer - What is 'Designated Backer'

What Is Backing?

In poker, backing, like staking, is a financial partnership between two or more people. Here's how it works:

• The Backer: Imagine this person(s) as the investor. They provide the money for a poker player to compete in a tournament.
• The Horse: This is the skilled poker player who uses the backer's money to play. They're like the jockey on a racehorse, using their talent to win, hopefully.

Why would someone back a poker player?

Backers want a share of the winnings. If the horse does well, the backer gets a percentage of the profits. It's a chance to earn money from poker without needing to play themselves.

Why would a poker player seek backing?

A player may have the skills to compete at higher stakes but doesn't have the bankroll (money available to play). Or they prefer to earn a consistent amount for playing poker without taking all the risk of losing. Backing allows them to do this.

What is the difference between ‘Backing’ and ‘Staking’

Both backing and staking involve a financial partnership between two (or more) people in poker. One side provides money (the backer or staker) for the other (the horse or player) to compete in games. In return, the provider gets a share of the winnings.

So, what's the actual difference?

Traditionally, "staking" is used for a one-off arrangement. For example, a ‘staker’ will provide funds for a single tournament buy-in. "Backing" usually refers to a longer-term or more structured agreement where the backer supports the player across multiple events.

Why has GGPoker introduced the Designate Backer feature?

GGPoker was the first to introduce the "staking lobby," where players can sell part of their buy-in for tournaments directly to other players. We understand that some backing agreements happen outside GGPoker, sometimes with one backer funding many players.

GGPoker's Designate Backer feature makes things clearer and safer!

With Designate Backer, you can now:

• Declare who is backing you and be transparent about your funding source.
• Set up profit sharing automatically: There is no need for complicated agreements or fund transfers. Designate Backer handles how winnings are split between you and your backer(s) within the GGPoker client.
• Fair. Backed players can easily show they're playing legitimately without any outside influences.