How to use it
Put in the full entry price, including the fee. Then set the most re-entries you're willing to buy if you bust early. Zero is a perfectly good answer. Add what you'll spend getting there and back, parking, food and anything else, like a hotel or a sitter. You get three numbers: your total entry exposure, your trip costs and the ceiling for the whole day.
That gap is the whole point. In a re-entry event it's easy to bust in level three, feel unlucky and fire again without thinking. Deciding the cap at home, before the first card, turns that into a decision you've already made.
Why set the maximum before you register
Re-entry formats can make your real cost much higher than the buy-in on the flyer. A player who re-enters twice in a $200 event has spent $600 on entries alone. Setting your cap in advance separates a planned limit from an emotional call after you've just lost a big pot. If you want the details on how each format works, read freezeout vs re-entry and buy-ins and fees.
Your ceiling isn't a target
The number is the most you'll spend, not what you should spend. You don't have to use every re-entry. You can skip the event. If the total doesn't fit what you've set aside for poker this month, the right answer can simply be "not this one." For the full picture, see the bankroll and session limits guide.
Once your budget is set, check the tournament calendar or the Pickering weekly schedule, and confirm the event with the room before you drive out, since schedules change.
Tournament cost FAQ
Is the tournament fee included in the buy-in?
It depends how the event is listed. A "$200" event may be $200 total or $200 plus a fee. Enter the full amount you pay at the desk so your budget is accurate.
How many re-entries should I plan for?
Only as many as you can afford without it hurting. Many players set zero or one. Decide before you arrive and don't raise it at the table.
Should I count travel and food in my poker budget?
Yes. They're part of what the day costs. A cheap tournament with a long drive, parking and dinner can cost more than a pricier event close to home.