Backer
A backer is a nonplayer who finances an active player.
The simple explanation
A backer is a person who is not playing but who finances an active player. If you do not have the money to enter a tournament, a backer can pay your buy-in and take a share of your winnings. The arrangement is a private agreement between the two.
A closer look
Backing arrangements vary: the backer may cover all or part of the buy-in, and the share of winnings and the makeup of losses are agreed in advance. In some, the player has to make up losses before he is paid. The practice is also called staking. It lets players with skill but little money play bigger games, and lets investors take part in poker.
A practical example
A player without enough money says, 'I have a backer,' and enters a tournament.
Full explanation
A backer is a nonplayer who finances an active player.
A backer is a nonplayer who finances an active player. For example, ‘I have a backer’ means someone else paid the buy-in.
The backer usually receives a share of the winnings, which is agreed in advance.
The arrangement is private, and terms vary.
The related term is staking.