PKO (progressive knockout) tournaments
In a progressive knockout (PKO), part of each buy-in goes to a bounty on every player. When you eliminate someone, you collect part of their bounty as cash, and the rest is added to your own bounty, so bounties grow as the tournament goes on.
How it works
Most PKOs split the buy-in roughly 50/50 between the regular prize pool and the starting bounties. On most sites, when you knock someone out you receive 50% of their bounty immediately and the other 50% is added to your bounty. Bounties usually pay only if you have that player covered (more chips than them).
A $109 PKO: $50 goes to the prize pool, $50 to your starting bounty, and $9 is the fee. You knock out a player whose bounty has grown to $80. You get $40 in cash, and your own bounty goes from $50 to $90.
Strategy tips
- Call wider when you cover a player with a big bounty. The bounty is extra pot equity.
- Be more careful about shoving when you are covered by big stacks hunting bounties.
- Late in the event, bounties can be worth more than the pay jumps, so play for knockouts.
- Chip leaders gain the most in PKOs because they can cover everyone.
- Early bounties are small. Don't overvalue them in the first levels.
- Always check the bounty split and whether you need to cover a player to collect.
Common mistakes
- Calling off a stack just for a small early bounty
- Ignoring that the regular prize pool is only about half of what a normal event offers
- Forgetting you only win the bounty if you cover the player
Find these tournaments
PKO and bounty tournaments → Bounty format filter →
FAQ
What is a pko (progressive knockout) tournament?
In a progressive knockout (PKO), part of each buy-in goes to a bounty on every player. When you eliminate someone, you collect part of their bounty as cash, and the rest is added to your own bounty, so bounties grow as the tournament goes on.
How much of the bounty do I get in a PKO?
Usually 50% as cash, with 50% added to your own bounty, but check each event.
Is a PKO the same as a standard bounty?
No. A standard bounty has a fixed value, while PKO bounties grow.
Related guides
Standard (fixed) bounty · Mystery bounty · Guaranteed (GTD) and overlay
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