screenout

A screenout is a term used in various contexts, most commonly in the fields of poker and competitive gaming, to describe a specific outcome or elimination process. In poker, particularly in tournaments, a screenout refers to a situation where a player is eliminated from a tournament due to running out of chips or "going broke." This occurs when a player's stack of chips is reduced to zero, either through losing hand-to-hand battles or through strategic decisions like all-in moves. The term emphasizes the visual aspect of the player being "screened out" from further participation, as their chips are no longer sufficient to continue playing.

In competitive gaming, especially in multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs) or team-based shooters, a screenout can refer to a player being unable to continue participating in a match due to technical or logistical reasons, such as being disconnected, banned, or otherwise unable to proceed. The term may also be used metaphorically to describe a player being "filtered out" of a competitive scene due to skill level, behavior, or other factors.

The concept of a screenout underscores the finality of elimination in structured competitions, where participants must either perform well enough to avoid depletion of their resources or risk being removed from the contest entirely. The term is often used colloquially to discuss the psychological and strategic implications of running out of options in high-stakes environments.