Double Up Break-Even Reference
A transparent arithmetic reference showing how fees raise the cash rate required to break even when a simplified Double Up pays twice the prize contribution to each surviving paid player.
This is an accounting identity, not a profitability forecast. It assumes a 50/50 equal-prize format, no rewards or rakeback, and a payout equal to 2× the prize-pool contribution.
Reference table
| Fee as % of prize contribution | Break-even cash rate |
|---|---|
| 0% | 50.00% |
| 2% | 51.00% |
| 5% | 52.50% |
| 7.5% | 53.75% |
| 10% | 55.00% |
| 12.5% | 56.25% |
| 15% | 57.50% |
| 20% | 60.00% |
Formula
With a 100 prize contribution plus a 10 fee, total cost is 110. If a cash pays 200, the break-even cash rate is 110 ÷ 200 = 55%.
Important operator caveat
Actual fees, player counts, payout wording, loyalty rewards and format availability vary. Verify the current tournament lobby before applying the table to a real game.
Sources
- PokerStars Learn — How to play Sit & Go — Operator educational documentation; format details are operator-specific and may change.
Source type and limitations are described above. External sources are used for verification; Double Up Poker calculations and explanations are independently produced.
Last updated: August 26, 2026 · Publisher: Double Up Poker