[kgr]

What paid play on BBO gives the highest ROI (Return on Investment)? Which of the Zenith tournaments, Mini challenge...?
(I see that payback of all is dropped a lot the last years)

[EugeneLS]

I wonder what exactly you mean by "Return on investment"?

I don't gamble, nor, I expect, do the majority of BBO players. Surely most participants in paid events do so for the pleasure of playing, regarding the payment as an entry fee. You wouldn't pay to go to a theatre, concert, etc., and then expect some sort of 'return'.

[kgr]

EugeneLS, on 2026-October-23, 02:04, said:

I wonder what exactly you mean by "Return on investment"?

I don't gamble, nor, I expect, do the majority of BBO players. Surely most participants in paid events do so for the pleasure of playing, regarding the payment as an entry fee. You wouldn't pay to go to a theatre, concert, etc., and then expect some sort of 'return'.

How to loose the least money on average (or keep your balance). Increasing your balance seems very difficult considering the limited return given by BBO.

[jillybean]

kgr, on 2026-October-23, 04:47, said:

How to loose the least money on average (or keep your balance). Increasing your balance seems very difficult considering the limited return given by BBO.

Play free tournaments.

[kgr]

jillybean, on 2026-October-23, 05:18, said:

Play free tournaments.

There’s a difference in the effort I put in when it’s free versus when there’s something at stake, even if it’s only a small amount.
I think I learn more when I’m fully focused, and improving is the goal.
I also have some money left in my account that I’d like to use for this. Part of the challenge is making sure my balance doesn’t drop to zero.

[jillybean]

Thanks, that gives it some context.
Are these tournaments with GIBBO?

[kgr]

Yes, with Robots:
- In All tournaments : search Zen
- In challenges: challenge reward - Low Stakes

[jillybean]

I can't comment on robots games.

[shyams]

In my view, none of them offer good RoI.

As you correctly pointed out, the payout ratios were attractive in the early days (e.g. Zenith DayLong was 80%) and a skilled player could get positive RoI on it. Subsequently they dropped it to 70%, and soon later to 52% (don't remember if it is 56% or 52%).

In my opinion, (though I have not played these for ages), the best RoI is in playing the 55% live & timed tournaments. I used to play them when 8 or more players participate (reduces randomness) and it used to be both fun and skill-oriented. If I remember right, the payout is still 1.5x (i.e. you get your BB$ back PLUS BB$0.50 bonus) for scoring 55% or higher.

Note that I haven't played these for a while. So please check if the payout rates etc remain valid.

[kgr]

Yes, probably the sequence is (none of the good):
1. Mini challenge
2. 55% Zenith
...

[shyams]

shyams, on 2026-October-26, 20:10, said:

...the best RoI is in playing the 55% live & timed tournaments...

I checked on BBO.

The tournament has been renamed to 7th Heaven Robot Rebate 55%. You play 7 boards (within 35 min), and if you score 55% at the end, you win.

This is live play (not day-long) which IMO makes it more fun. Especially if there are numerous other players.

Good luck