Poker Pros Weigh In: When Is Late Registration Too Late?

Late registration in poker tournaments has been a contentious issue, with opinions varying widely among professionals. In 2015, in most tournaments, late registration was open until the 9th level. This trend has continued, with some tournaments allowing late registration until the 12th level or even the beginning of the second day.

Oleg Wh1teBaron, a seasoned player, shared his approach to late registration. He mentioned that he follows the rule of not sitting in a freezeout with a stack of less than 40 bb and in a knockout with less than 60 bb. However, he also noted that he might join some tournaments even at the last minute. Wh1teBaron also discussed the complexities of late registration, stating that while it can be beneficial for players with larger stacks, it also affects the overall ROI and the number of tournaments played.

Nikolay nsmirnov, another experienced player, prefers to sit at the beginning of the tournament but sometimes has to join late in cheaper tournaments. He expressed his dislike for late registration, stating that it prolongs the tournament and often results in poor structures. Maxim vot_eto_prikol, who plays mostly knockout tournaments, usually sits at the beginning to aim for a larger prize pool. He also mentioned that he tries to join freezeout tournaments with a stack of 30-40 bb. Additionally, he is part of ITC, which has obligations regarding late registration.