Which rooms are better for playing fast poker?

Fast poker is one of the key inventions of online poker. Before the advent of Spin & Go, all poker rooms made the main bet on it. Technological advances in the form of powerful smartphones, tablets and high-speed internet have become the foundation of the popularity of fast poker.

 

Everyone liked the new format. For poker rooms mobile devices are the ideal traffic source. The opportunity to play poker for 10-15 minutes while traveling by transport, going shopping with your partner or in a long line at the supermarket checkout attracts recreational players. Professionals are always glad to see weak players.

 

In 2021 all main rooms have fast poker. Large rooms have managed to adapt the format to Omaha and tournament poker. Each network or room has its own name for the fast poker tables: Zoom, Blitz, Fast Forward, Snap, Rush & Cash, Boost, Zone Poker. Where there is more traffic, weaker opponents and higher rakeback will be discussed today. 

What's the difference between fast poker and regular cash tables?

The ability to instantly fold and start a new hand is the key difference between fast poker and regular tables. Fast fold, aka "Fast Fold", throws the player to a new table, where he is immediately dealt new cards. Other differences from cash tables:

 

1. Instead of the principle "one player - one seat at the table" there is the concept of "number of connections", on the basis of which multitabling is limited. 

2. You constantly find yourself at a new table against other opponents, so we are not talking about any table dynamics. 

3. Transition to the next tables minimizes the importance of your image in the eyes of opponents. 

4. The skill of opponents in Zoom Poker or Rush & Cash is higher than at regular tables.

 

Due to the nature of the format, fast poker has several advantages:

 

1. During the same period of time, you play more hands. At a regular NL10 cash table on PokerStars, you will play 135 hands in 1 hour, and at the same limit in Zoom poker - 250. 

2. Due to the greater distance, the rakeback is higher. The average player with a distance of 100,000 hands at NL10 in the Good Game network will be able to get $ 200-250 in additional income. 

3. No need to select and look for weak opponents. A new table in every hand and a pool of 300-350 players per limit is a guarantee of frequent play against amateurs. 

4. More standard play, less adaptations. If the opponents are constantly changing, then there is no need to balance - no one will pay attention to the same size bets or bluffs that are not frequent enough. 

5. Rake races for fast poker tables. For example, the GGPoker poker rooms regularly host the "Rush & Cash Daily Leaderboard 40,000$".

The winner of the first place at the NL200 limit receives $ 800, at NL100 - $ 520. Even micro-stakes players can get additional profit: for 1 place at NL10 they give $ 130, at NL5 - $ 85, and at NL2 - $ 55. Getting 27.5 limit buy-ins for a one-day grind is a decent result! 

 

The format also has disadvantages: 

1. Select is available only at the levels of choosing a poker room or playing time: Snap at 888Poker has weaker opponents than Zoom at PokerStars. In the morning, there are fewer strong regulars at the tables, so the game is less tough. 

But picking tables with weak opponents in fast poker is impossible. 

2. In fast poker there is constant action. At regular cash tables, you have breaks between difficult hands and time to rest. Even when playing at multiple tables. In fast poker, the density of important decisions is higher, so you get tired faster and it is more difficult to multi-table. 

3. Your exploitative poker will become weaker because you will not have reads on your opponents. There will not be a time bank to think over some non-standard line at a decent level. Ideal conditions for developing a balanced strategy. 

Key data about rooms with fast poker

We recommend that you be more careful with the rakeback and do not make it the only criterion when choosing a place to play. Diamond Club Elite members receive 60% rakeback, but with the volume of the Fast Forward tables, you will never rake $ 200,000 in a year. Even 40% rakeback for $ 100,000 of rake seems like a real challenge. PokerStars and 888Poker offer a ridiculous 2-3% rakeback, but the big traffic in zoom poker makes up for it; Snap's advantage is weak pool. Let's consider the features of each of the networks (rooms) separately. 

Pokerstars 

The most popular room of the last 20 years offers a wide range of fast poker limits: from NL2 to NL2000. Many players believe that the Zoom 500 on PS has the strongest pool in the world: if you beat this limit, you can beat any opponent in online poker.

PokerStars, Zoom, No Limit Holdem, CET

The game at the limits NL2-NL100 is carried out constantly, but NL1000 and NL2000 are collected extremely rarely. The peak of traffic is in the evening. 

Client. PokerStars software is still one of the best in the world, which is why the speed of the game in zoom is the highest: in 1 hour you will play 250-260 hands on a single table. With moderate multi-tabling, 3000-4000 hands per day is easily achievable. You played at this pace for 25 days - gained a distance of 100,000 hands.

Rakeback. In the table, we indicated a rakeback of 3% - this is how much players receive on average under the Stars Reward loyalty program. However, in July 2021 PS began testing a new bonus program. If the challenges become permanent, then players will be able to receive up to 40% rakeback. About 15% more RB will bring chests. The final decision on the Stars Reward update will be made at the end of September. For zoom poker players, this is a strong argument for grinding at PokerStars.

Software. Poker trackers and HUDs are allowed on the fast poker tables at PokerStars. The restriction of select and multi-tabling to 4 tables did not affect the zoom regs in any way. The number of players from the cash has slightly increased, who have added a pinch of zoom to the usual tables. 

Other disciplines. Zoom Poker on PS isn't just about no limit hold'em: you can also play fast poker at the Omaha tables.

PokerStars, Zoom, PLO, CET

PokerStars hosts over 20 Zoom tournaments daily. 

GGPoker

Recently GGPoker (GGPokerOK, BetKings) succeeded unprecedentedly - the network became the leader in terms of the number of players according to PokerScout. The last time first place was not for PokerStars in 2005. Good Game's success came thanks to a competent bonus policy and attractive software. 

GGPokerOK, Rush & Cash, No Limit Holdem, CET

The GGPoker client is designed for amateur players. The vibrant colors of the tabs, sound effects and graphics are designed to keep users entertained and not bored. A stark contrast to the PokerStars client, which relies on comfort and neat design. However, all these graphics do not interfere with the good work of the client: in an hour of playing Rush & Cash at 1 table, you will play 260-270 hands. With a limit of 4 tables, that's a thousand hands per hour.

60% rakeback also attracts players' attention. At the beginning of 2021, GGPoker improved the Fish Buffet loyalty program. Previously, players received random rakeback within the payout range, but now they have the opportunity to count on the exact amount. Let’s take Platinum Octopus status with 35% rakeback as an example. Upon reaching it (scored 60,000 points) in December 2020, the size of your RB was determined by scrolling the reel and ranged from $ 60 to $ 360. Starting in the spring of 2021, with this status, you exchange 1 $ for 285 FP. That is, the same 60,000 points are always equal to $ 210. 

Software. Unlike PokerStars, any programs are prohibited on GGPoker: neither a poker tracker, nor a HUD, nor even an analogue of StarsCaption will help you here. Instead of third-party programs, built-in client functions are allowed - SmartHUD and PokerCraft. There you will find basic poker statistics like VPIP, PFR and aggression. There is also an opportunity to download the hand history. Read how to download Rush & Cash hand history from GGPoker in a separate article. 

Other disciplines. Fast poker is also available in Omaha, although the traffic at the tables is less than in Hold'em.

GGPokerOK, Rush & Cash, PLO, CET

But there are no Rush & Cash tournaments in the lobby. 

888Poker 

888Poker is not in the best shape and only ranks 9th in terms of the number of players. Despite the traffic situation, the reasons to play fast poker can be found here too. Chief among them is the large number of recreational players. While playing Snap, you will regularly find yourself at tables where 3-4 opponents are sitting with a partial stack.

888Poker, Snap, No Limit Holdem, CET

Formally, there are NL500 and NL1000 snaps in the lobby, however these tables are played in a “Push or Fold” format. 

Client. 888Poker software is one of the best in online poker. The problems with the transition to the new platform are left behind: even the “old believers” recognize the convenience of Poker 8. The fans of poker on smartphones and tablets are also satisfied. Previously, they could not play more than 1 table and not all disciplines were available to them. Now they can play up to 4 tables at the same time, and even in any discipline. The pros are happy not so much with 888Poker software as with the influx of amateurs.

Rakeback. Here the "eights" have nothing to cover - RB is the weakest side of the playing here. The 888 Poker Club loyalty program consists of an endless number of levels and a meager cashback of 2-3% of the rake. With the new level, you get gold tokens that can be exchanged for prizes, including cash. But even this small prize you have to play, otherwise it will burn out. 888Poker recently launched Early Bird Rakeback, which allows players to receive up to 50% rakeback. However, the promotion is only valid for morning MTT tournaments. Cash players, including Snap, do not count. 

Software. While playing at 888 Poker, you can use poker trackers, HUD, and 888Caption. The appearance of statistics at Snap tables is a relative novelty for eights: until August 2020, it was impossible to play fast poker with statistics. There are also layouts for multi-tabling. During the session, you can open no more than 6 tables. There is a separate limitation for fast poker - no more than 3 connections per 1 limit. That is, you can open 3 NL2 tables and 3 NL5 tables, or choose a combination: 2 NL2 windows, 2 NL5 windows and 2 NL10 windows. 

Other disciplines. Formally, there are PLO Snap tables in the lobby. But all traffic there is 11 people on NL2. 

Partypoker 

Partypoker is far from being the top poker room it held until 2006. However, things are much better there than in the early 2010s, when inept leadership confidently led the room to close. In 2016 Partypoker became part of GVC Holdings and things started to improve. Partypoker is currently tied for 8-10 places in terms of the number of players with the iPoker Network and 888Poker. The traffic in Fast Forward is not amazing, but you can find arguments in favor of the game here.

Partypoker, Fast Forward, No Limit Holdem, CET

Client. The main problem at Partypoker is the software. If a player got acquainted with poker in 2008-2010, then spent 10 years in a coma, and then came back to life, then he will be surprised to find familiar features in the PP client.

With the constant competition with dozens of rooms, backward software negatively affects the interest in Partypoker. A lot of work has been done since 2016: a lot of table settings have been added, the lobby has been redesigned, social functions and a training portal "My Game" have appeared. In 2020, the mobile client was updated, where it is finally possible to multitable and the Fast Forward and SPINS formats are more widely presented. Up to 160-165 hands are played at the FF table per hour. 

Rakeback. The loyalty program is an argument in favor of playing at Partypoker. Here PP has left far behind PokerStars and 888Poker, because players can count on 40%, and with a Diamond Club member, even 50-60% cashback. The system with rakeback works simply: in a week you collect points and exchange them for money. The more points, the more profitable the exchange. If you have earned 1000 points, you can exchange them for $ 300; for 1200 you are already owed 480 $. To earn 50% cashback, you need to collect $ 100,000 in rake within a year. When you reach $ 200,000 in rake, your rakeback will already be $ 200,000. Diamond Club members also benefit from 24/7 support, tickets to live events and the annual MILLIONS.

Software. Since May 2019, poker trackers and HUDs will not work at Partypoker. Players have the option to download hand histories, but nothing more. Instructions on how to download hand history from Partypoker are available here. However, PartyCaption and layouts are still supported on PP. Both are very useful at Partypoker, because players can open up to 9 Fast Forward tables at the same time. 

Other disciplines. Fast Omaha is available at Partypoker. The distribution of players by limits is striking: NL2-NL10 are empty, and most of all games are at NL25.

Partypoker, Fast Forward, PLO, CET

Winning Poker Network 

US players and high rakeback are the main arguments for the WPN poker network. Winning Poker ranks 7th in terms of the number of players. Blitz Poker tables are not popular at PokerKing, Black Chip Poker, Americas Cardroom, but there is enough play at low limits. Blitz Poker also has an unobvious advantage in the form of NL10 as the lowest available limit. NL2 opponents with $ 10 stacks are a good argument for fast poker on WPN.

Winning Poker Network, Blitz Poker, No Limit Holdem, CET

Client. In 2019, the network switched to new software and this ... crashed traffic. All because of a huge number of technical problems and bugs that interfered with the normal game of poker. In two years, all the technical problems were solved, so now the WPN client is one of the most modern and convenient in online poker. Recent updates - moving stacks to big blinds and adding layouts. Now it is more convenient for you to grind, and your eyes will stop flowing out after 10-20 minutes from the beginning of the session. 

Rakeback. Rakeback has always been the strongest point of the Winning poker rooms. According to the loyalty program, players can count on 35% rakeback. The Beast will bring in the same amount. With due diligence, you can get up to 65% -70% rakeback. Another thing is that Blitz Poker players do not get high places in the rake race due to the low traffic in the discipline. Software. Poker trackers are allowed on WPN. Until recently, there was also a multi-tabling assistant, but at the request of the network, the WPN Tools developer cut the program's functionality. Soon, VPN tools were completely removed from the market. 

Other disciplines. The good news is that there are PLO tables at Winning Poker. The bad news is that at the time of this writing, there are exactly 0 players at the NL10-NL200 limits. 

Chico Poker Network 

Chico Poker Network does not have a lot of traffic - only 12th in terms of the number of players. Rakeback in the form of redeeming points for tournament tickets is a mediocre incentive. But when playing at TigerGaming, BetOnline and SportsBetting, you will find yourself at the same tables with American players. The lower limit in local fast poker is NL10. That is, the pool in Boost poker is weaker than in rooms with NL2 and NL5.

Chico Poker Network, Boost, CET

Client. Chico Poker's software is inferior to the leaders, but outperforms the worst examples. Fair characterization - just a normal poker client. The lobby and filters are easy to figure out, and the tables have a lot of settings. A four-color deck, betting profiles, and a multi-tabling theme are all available at Chico Poker. The client is periodically refined: they recently added a conversion of stacks to the big blinds.

 

Rakeback. Once a month, you can exchange points for cash. To do this, you need to write to technical support - there are no buttons for automatic exchange. Best trade offer on Tiger and other Chico rooms: 200,000 points for $ 100. The rate is equal to 5% rakeback. The levels in the loyalty program are decorative in nature and do not provide real advantages. Just like 888Poker.

Software. You can use poker trackers in the Chico Poker Network. But due to the hand history format, you need Advanced Chico Converter or Chico Converter to display statistics and import. There are also third-party layouts for Chico's rooms, however, due to the peculiarities of the client's work, they are not very useful. Installing a theme every time before launching a room is not fun for everyone.

Winamax

The main feature, it is also an advantage, it is also a drawback of Winamax Poker is the closedness of the room. Only residents of countries from the European Union and the European Economic Community can play here. Despite the narrow pool of countries, the French room is in 4th place in terms of the number of players. High Winamax traffic does not translate into a large number of connections at Go Fast tables.

Winamax, Go Fast, No Limit Holdem, CET

Client. Winamax's software is reminiscent of the Microgaming Poker Network. The options include theme settings, notifications, disabling sounds and animations. A four-color deck and hotkeys are also available. The lobby is comfortable and simple: tabs allow you to quickly switch between tables and cash limits, MTT and Sit & Go.

Rakeback. Winamax Poker loyalty program consists of 6 monthly and 6 annual VIP-statuses. The higher the status, the higher the score multiplier. The rakeback range is from 10% to 40%. The status gives you the opportunity to participate in exclusive freerolls. The guarantee for these tournaments ranges from € 1000 for Chrome (lowest VIP level) to € 20,000 for Red Diamond. 

Software. HUDs and poker trackers are allowed at Winamax Poker. Programs for collecting statistics work without converters. If you don't like the basic layouts of the French room, then try the HM Classic Theme. 

Other formats. There are two Go Fast Omaha tables in the lobby and both are empty. 

Pokermatch 

The Ukrainian poker room PokerMatch was founded in 2016, but already occupies the 14th place in terms of the number of players, and sometimes breaks into the top 10. The level of the opponents' play is not high and this is explained by 2 factors: 1) a large number of betting fans from the “related” bookmaker Parimatch; 2) the limits are pegged to the hryvnia, so they look strange in dollars - many players prefer other rooms to avoid confusion. The most popular limits boost Pokermatch: NL2, NL4 and NL37.

PokerMatch, Boost, CET

Client. The PokerMatch software is similar to the improved Chico Poker Network client. This is because they were created on the same platform. The choice of built-in themes at PokerMatch is greater than at Tigergaming. A four-color deck, setting up contributions and rates, hot keys, turning off animations and sounds - all this is in the PokerMatch client.

Rakeback. Since August 2, 2021, PokerMatch has changed the loyalty program. Previously, the lowest level of the VIP program gave 5% rakeback, now - 2.5%. The room justified this approach as unfair, because previously the first two levels brought players 5% rake return. The rest of the changes are made in favor of the players. The most impressive of them is the reduction in the number of points for the third level: earlier it was required 5000 points, now - 1500. At higher levels it also became easier to maintain the status. The maximum rakeback at PokerMatch is 40%. The current conditions are announced as intermediate, in 2022 they promise a new loyalty program. 

Software. Formally poker room versus poker software during the game. However, you can run poker trackers at PokerMatch. To do this, you need an Advanced PokerMatch Converter. 

Other formats. In Omaha, the list of limits is wider than in Hold'em, but in total from NL2 to NL1851 there are 8 people in the boost.

PokerDom 

The Russian poker room PokerDom was launched in 2014. In terms of the number of players, it goes behind PokerMatch and takes 15th place. A unique feature of the room - all tables are played in rubles. Otherwise, PokerDom is a degraded copy of PokerMatch. But here there are two loyalty programs at once: “100 steps to a Million” and “Time machine”.

PokerDom, Boost, CET

Client. PokerDom software replicates PokerMatch. The tabs of the PokerDom lobby are written in a smaller font and do not stand out as much as in PokerMatch. The bright green color is also not for everybody. Pleased with a large number of settings: bet profiles, hotkeys, buy-in sizes, a four-color deck - all this simplifies multi-tabling.

Rakeback. Users choose their own loyalty program. With 100 Steps to a Million, players receive instant prizes every few levels. Upon reaching a new level, they can get 1 out of 4 cash prizes. At level 100 with probabilities of: 

• 1% you will win a million rubles; 
• 3% - 150,000; 
• 46% - 50,000; 
• 50% - 25,000. 

After that, 25% rakeback is assigned to you. In addition, you will receive a $ 550 ticket to the Sochi offline tournament. Time Machine is a more promising option: the highest level will bring you 67% rakeback. This loyalty program consists of 8 levels, at the lowest level, players receive 12% return. The main difficulty is to collect the required number of points in 30 days. If you succeed, then the status is assigned to you for the next month. You can choose a loyalty program in the PokerDom poker client. In the upper right corner, select "Cashier" - "Promo code" and specify TIMEMACHINE or ONEHUNDRED there. 

Software. You cannot officially use the poker tracker and display the HUD on PokerDom. However, you can still play with statistics using PokerDom Converter or Advanced PokerDom Converter. 

Other formats. There are PLO tables, no players.

PaiWangLuo 

The PaiWangLuo poker network ranks 6th in terms of the number of players. All poker at Bovada Poker, Ignition Poker, Bodog Poker are played at anonymous tables. This reduces the attractiveness of the network. But access to players from the United States increases the attractiveness.

PaiWangLuo, Zone Poker, CET

Client. The PaiWangLuo software is not cutting edge: it looks mediocre, and there are few settings. There is a "favorite place" option, hotkeys, several topics. Animations and sound effects can be turned off.

Rakeback. The local VIP program is focused on sports betting and online casinos. There is no direct cashback, only access to exclusive freerolls depending on the status. 

Software. You can use statistics and HUD, but you will need additional tools in the form of Ignition Card Catcher and Ignition Converter. There is also a poker tracker that works directly in PaiWangLuo - DriveHUD. 

Summary

In the review, we looked at 10 places to play fast poker. Depending on the attractiveness of the conditions, we will divide them into three groups: 

1. The best rooms. In terms of the number of players, zoom poker at PokerStars and Rush & Cash from GGPoker is ahead of other networks and rooms.

Whether you come in in the morning, afternoon or evening, it doesn't matter: you always have someone to play with.

Zoom poker is better in that it allows the use of HUD and poker trackers; Rush and Cash attracts with high rakeback and regular promotions for fast poker players. 

2. You can play. The rooms in this category are not that good in terms of traffic or offer mediocre rakeback. This includes 888Poker, Partypoker, WPN, PokerMatch, Winamax. The key problem of these rooms is that the poker is not played at all limits, most often a decent number of connections only at NL2-NL10. On the other hand, the competition here is also lower, and no one forbids combining Fast Forward and Snap poker. 

3. Not recommended. The tables of the poker network Chico Poker Network and PokerDom are almost always empty or the game is played only on NL2. PaiWangLuo is bad for others - it is difficult for most players to access due to geographic restrictions. And the anonymity of the entire game within the network cannot be attributed to the advantages.