In this format, a player’s first entry into the tournament is free, but re-entries or rebuys come at a cost. This is often used as part of promotions, welcome bonuses, or player retention strategies. It offers the feel of a freeroll with added depth and strategic choice if the player decides to reinvest after busting.

Operators can configure this on a per-player or per-IP basis, restrict it to new users, and apply cooldown timers. It’s especially effective for onboarding, soft-launching new formats, or celebrating milestones (e.g., “First Entry on Sundays Is Free!”).