Several types of Content Distribution Networks are being deployed over the Internet today, based on different architectures to meet their requirements (e.g., scalability, efficiency and resiliency). Peer-to-peer (P2P) based Content Distribution Networks are promising approaches that have several advantages. Structured P2P networks, for instance, take a proactive approach and provide efficient routing mechanisms. Nevertheless, their maintenance can increase considerably in highly dynamic P2P environments. In order to address this issue, a two-tier architecture called Omicron that combines a structured overlay network with a clustering mechanism is suggested in a hybrid scheme. In this paper, we examine several sampling algorithms utilized in the aforementioned hybrid network that collect local information in order to apply a selective join procedure. Additionally, we apply the sampling algorithms on Chord in order to evaluate sampling as a general information gathering mechanism. The algorithms are based mostly on random walks inside the overlay networks. The aim of the selective join procedure is to provide a well balanced and stable overlay infrastructure that can easily overcome the unreliable behavior of the autonomous peers that constitute the network. The sampling algorithms are evaluated using simulation experiments as well as probabilistic analysis where several properties related to the graph structure are revealed.