Win the button
A tournament add-on format in which the player who wins a designated hand or pot takes the dealer button, moving position as a prize rather than letting it rotate normally.
Frequently asked questions
What does win the button mean?
A format variation in which the player who wins a designated hand takes the dealer button, rather than the button passing clockwise each hand. Position becomes something you can play for directly.
Where is the format used?
Mostly in recreational and club events. The German state casinos list it as one of the permitted variations on an otherwise standard freeze-out — Spielbanken Bayern's ranking tournaments allow it alongside Knock-Out and Second Chance, with each casino deciding what to apply.
Why do major tours not use it?
Because a clean, predictable button rotation is part of a tournament's structural integrity, and awarding position as a prize compounds an existing advantage. It works well as a novelty in a weekly event and poorly over a multi-day structure.