The term "Red Dragon Poker" almost certainly refers to a specific poker tournament, not a general type of poker. The "buy-in" is the entry fee required to play in that tournament.

Here’s a detailed explanation of what a "Red Dragon Poker buy-in" entails.

1. What is the "Red Dragon" Tournament?

The Red Dragon is one of the most famous and popular tournament series in Asia. It is the flagship event of the World Poker Tour (WPT) at the Playground Poker Club in Montreal, Canada.

* History: It was originally hosted in Asia (e.g., Manila) but found a permanent and highly successful home in North America.

* Reputation:** It's known for its massive prize pools, excellent structure, and attracting a large international field of players. It's considered a "must-play" event for many serious tournament players.

2. Understanding the Buy-In Components

A tournament buy-in is typically split into two parts:

* Base Buy-in: The portion of your fee that goes directly into the prize pool that will be paid out to the winners.

* Tournament Fee: A separate fee that the casino or cardroom keeps for organizing the tournament, providing dealers, security, etc. This does NOT go into the prize pool.

For the specific WPT Red Dragon Main Event, the buy-in has historically been structured as:

* Total Buy-in: CAD $2,500

* Base Prize Pool: CAD $2,200

* House Fee: CAD $300

So, when you pay $2,500, $2,200 goes to compete for with other players, and $300 is the cost for the venue to run the event.

3. Other Ways to Get In (Alternative Buy-Ins)

Most players don't pay the full $2,500 directly. They qualify for cheaper through satellites.

* Satellites: These are smaller, cheaper tournaments where the prize is an entry into the bigger Red Dragon event.

* A "Super Satellite" might have a buy-in of $250 and award several seats.

* A "Mega Satellite" might be $550.

* You might even find online satellites for as low as $10 or $20.

4. Key Details to Look For

If you are interested in playing, always check the official structure sheet for the current year's event. Look for:

1. Total Buy-in Amount: The full cash amount you need to enter.

2. Starting Stack: How many chips you get for your buy-in (e.g., 30,000 chips).

3. Re-Entry / Rebuy: Can you buy back in if you lose your chips early? The Red Dragon often allows for at least one re-entry, which means you could potentially pay the buy-in twice.

4. Add-Ons: At the first break, can you pay extra for more chips? This is usually a good value.

Summary

| Term | Meaning in Context of "Red Dragon Poker" |

| :--

| Red Dragon Poker | A specific, major WPT tournament series held at Playground Poker Club. |

| Buy-In | The entry fee for the tournament, typically CAD $2,500 for the Main Event. |

| Breakdown | Usually ~$2,200 to the prize pool + ~$300 house fee. |

| How to Enter | Pay the full buy-in, or win a seat via a cheaper satellite tournament. |

In short: When someone asks about the "red dragon poker buy-in," they are most likely referring to the CAD $2,500 entry fee for the WPT Red Dragon Main Event in Montreal.

> Important Note: Tournament structures and buy-ins can change from year to year. Always check the official World Poker Tour or Playground Poker Club website for the most current and accurate information.