GGPoker's Record for Largest Online Poker Overlay in History

Breaking news: we just witnessed the largest online poker overlay in history! If you love poker, you probably love the word “overlay.” For those who don’t know, an overlay happens when a poker site guarantees a certain prize pool but doesn’t get enough players to cover it. The site has to pay the difference out of its own pocket. It’s basically “free money” added to the prize pool.

In a stunning turn of events, this February 2026, GGPoker has officially taken the crown for the biggest online poker overlay ever recorded. During its GGMasters 6th Anniversary tournament, the site had to chip in a staggering $1,791,760 to meet its own guarantee.

The GGMasters 6th Anniversary Madness

To celebrate six years of GGMasters, GGPoker did something incredibly ambitious. They kept the buy-in at a modest $150 but boosted the guaranteed prize pool to a massive $10 million.

While thousands of players flocked to the virtual tables across seven starting flights, it wasn’t quite enough. When the “Last Chance” flight registration closed on February 9, the numbers were clear: GGPoker was short by nearly $1.8 million. For players, this was a dream come true, as the value of their $150 entry fee skyrocketed!

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Moving Aside the Previous King: The PokerBaazi GOAT

Before this week, the record for the largest online poker overlay was held by an Indian poker giant. In late 2024, the PokerBaazi GOAT (Greatest Of All Tournaments) made headlines by recording an overlay of more than $1.4 million.

The GOAT featured a guarantee of 250 million Indian Rupees (approximately $3 million) with a buy-in of roughly $120. Despite its massive popularity in India, the organizers had to add about $1,403,524 to fill the gap. At the time, it was hailed as the “Greatest Overlay of All Tournaments,” but GGPoker’s recent anniversary event has now officially pushed it to second place.

Why Do Sites Take the Risk?

You might wonder why a site would intentionally risk losing millions of dollars. As the CEO of the World Poker Tour (WPT) once said regarding their own overlays, companies often “know the risks” because it’s part of a long-term plan.

These massive guarantees act as a huge marketing tool. They draw in new players, create “buzz” in the poker community, and prove that the site is willing to reward its fans. Even if GGPoker lost $1.8 million on this one event, the prestige of hosting the biggest $150 tournament in history is a massive win for their brand.

The Top 5 Biggest Overlays in Poker History

While online poker is hitting new heights, live poker still holds some of the biggest records. Here is how the new GGPoker record stacks up against the all-time greats:

1. 2014 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open (Live): $2.5 Million Overlay
2. 2023 WPT World Championship (Live): $2.4 Million Overlay
3. 2026 GGPoker GGMasters (Online): $1.791 Million Overlay
4. 2024 PokerBaazi GOAT (Online): $1.403 Million Overlay
5. 2020 PokerStars Big Blowout (Online): $1.23 Million Overlay

What Could You Do With That Money

To put GGPoker’s $1.8 million loss into perspective, that amount of money could buy you a private island in the Caribbean, or a luxury car collection, including a Lamborghini Revuelto. Instead, that wealth was distributed among the lucky players who made it into the money in the GGMasters.

Conclusion

We are truly living in a “Golden Era” of online poker value. With sites competing to offer the biggest guarantees, the real winners are the players. For now, GGPoker is really the GOAT – Greatest of All Time in online tournament overlays. Whether it’s the GGMasters or any other major online event, keep your eyes on those guarantees – you might just find yourself playing for a share of the next record-breaking overlay!