What does Qualifier mean in poker and tournaments?

A Qualifier in poker is a qualifying tournament that gives the player a route into a bigger event. Most often, the prize is not regular cash but a ticket, package, or seat in the next tournament.

How does it work?

The player enters the qualifier at a lower buy-in and plays not so much for a direct payout as for progression. If they meet the required condition, for example by finishing in one of the qualifying places, they receive entry to the target tournament. That is why qualifiers are often linked to satellites and other selection stages.