Makeup is the running total of a staked player’s losses that must be won back before any profit is split with the backer. It’s the rule that makes long-term staking fair. The backer pays for every losing tournament, so they get their money back first, and profit is only shared once the player is genuinely ahead.
How makeup works
On a standard 50/50 deal with makeup, both sides end up with half of the profit. Along the way, every loss is added to makeup, and every win pays makeup down first. Only money above makeup gets split.
Try it yourself: use our free poker makeup calculator to work out makeup, splits, pre-chops and rakeback for your own numbers.
A worked example
Jon stakes Steve at 50/50 with makeup and gives him a $5,000 bankroll to play online tournaments.
| Day | What happens | Makeup after |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve loses $2,000. Jon reloads him back to $5,000. | $2,000 |
| 2 | Steve loses $4,000. Jon reloads $4,000. | $6,000 |
| 3 | Steve loses $3,000. Jon reloads $3,000. | $9,000 |
| 4 | Steve wins $25,000, and his balance grows to $25,000. | $0 |
On day 4 the money is settled like this:
- $25,000 balance − $5,000 working bankroll − $9,000 makeup = $11,000 profit
- Steve keeps $5,500.
- Jon receives $9,000 (his losses back) + $5,500 = $14,500.
On day 5, Steve keeps playing with the $5,000 bankroll and $0 makeup. Over the whole stretch, both sides are up exactly $5,500.
Common questions about makeup
Does makeup ever reset?
Not on a normal makeup deal. Makeup carries forward month to month until it’s won back. That’s why long-term deals have a minimum length, usually measured in months or games, and why players generally can’t end a deal while in makeup.
What if a player quits while in makeup?
Most agreements don’t allow it. The backer has paid for those losses and the deal exists to give them a chance to be won back. Some stables offer a buy-out to end a deal early on agreed terms.
How do pre-chops affect makeup?
A pre-chop is an advance on the player’s share of future profit, paid while they’re in makeup. Because it comes out of the player’s share, it’s added to makeup grossed up by the split. On a 50/50 deal, a $500 pre-chop adds $1,000 to makeup: when that $1,000 is won back, the backer gets their $500 and the player’s $500 has already been paid.
Is rakeback affected by makeup?
It depends on the deal. Some backers keep all rakeback until makeup is cleared, while others split it with the player even during makeup. At Pocarr, rakeback is split with you even while you’re in makeup.
Are there deals without makeup?
Yes. In no-makeup deals the backer takes a much bigger share of profit, for example 85–90%, in exchange for absorbing the losses. They’re less common for long-term tournament staking.
Why accurate records matter
Makeup only works if both sides agree on the numbers. Good stables track every transfer, reload and chop, and ask players to report balances regularly, so there are never surprises when it’s time to split.
Learn more
For the full picture of splits, chops, rakeback, pre-chops and buy-outs, read poker staking deals explained. New to staking? Start with what is staking in poker?
Want to play on our bankroll?
Pocarr stakes 250+ MTT players and coaches every one of them. Management typically reviews applications within 24 hours.
