Buy-In definition and meaning

Buy-in or buy in is a term that refers to the process of exchanging your cash for casino chips. Therefore, before you decide to play blackjack, poker, roulette or craps, you will have to buy-in. In some situations, if you are, let’s say, participating in a poker tournament or planning on playing at a specific high-roller table, you will be required to buy-in with a specified amount. The amount that you are required to buy-in with will usually depend on the blinds and is predetermined by the gaming establishment or tournament organisers. Buy-in requirements may differ from one table to another, so make sure to ask the dealer or the casino staff about them. One thing to remember is that buying-in isn’t the same as add-on or re-buying. For example, you can add-on or re-buy at the table while in order to buy-in, you have to go back to the cashier and exchange your money for chips.