In 2010, Full Tilt Poker aimed to revolutionize the game of poker by introducing a new variation of the game. The methodology? Speed, engagement, and the ability to play more poker games in a shorter period of time. The result? Fast-fold poker. For impatient folks, waiting for a strong hand can become tedious, whether that’s during casual cash games or online poker tournaments. Fast-fold poker does away with the need to wait and introduces a fun, free-flowing form of poker.
In fast-fold poker, once a player decides to fold, they’re instantly transferred to another table to begin a new round. This variant goes by varying names depending on the specific fast-fold poker site. Some of the most common names for this format include zoom poker, fastforward poker, rush poker, snap poker, and speed poker.
Regardless of the name used, this variation has gained worldwide popularity and continues to be an exciting way to play one of the most popular casino games in America. This blog takes a deep dive into what fast-fold poker is and why it’s regarded as one of poker’s most exciting formats.
Advantages of Fast-Fold Poker
There are a number of reasons why fast-fold poker has become so popular among online poker players, the most fundamental being the pace of the game. The speed-dating version of poker sees players constantly moving between tables, reducing the time they spend waiting around for competitive hands. So, if you’re dealt a weak hand, you simply need to fold, and you’ll immediately be transferred to a new table and dealt a new poker hand.
For beginners, its fast-paced nature and constant exposure to new hands offer a unique and quick way of learning. You can sometimes triple the number of hands you would normally play per hour, improving your focus and helping you get more practice in, in a shorter time.
Another benefit for beginners is that it limits experienced players’ ability to read your playing personality. Online poker in the U.S. is competitive and highly strategized — fast-fold poker weakens the skill side of a player’s arsenal, thus increasing the chances for novice success. Head over to the Borgata Online website for more poker tournament tips and strategies for beginner poker players.
Another notable benefit of playing fast-fold poker is that it can help you avoid tilt. The pace of the game closes the gap for some of the most common causes of tilt to slip through, most commonly frustration and boredom. You won’t have to wait around for other players, nor will you have time to dwell on previous hands. Plus, because you’re constantly moving to a different table with new opponents, encountering difficult opponents won’t be as much of a problem. So, because of how quickly the game moves, it’s a lot less likely for these tilt-inducing feelings to pop up, meaning you’ll be less likely to make emotional, and potentially costly, decisions.
If you’re a skilled player, fast-fold poker can not only introduce a fun, new challenge into your gameplay, but it can also be very profitable. You’ll be able to play three to four times more hands per hour, which, if you play your cards right, can translate into a higher hourly rate.
Fast-fold poker allows you to play poker online for real money in a new and exciting way while still enjoying your favorite variations, such as Texas hold’em and Omaha. It’s also great for mobile devices, meaning it’s easy and accessible to play.
How Does It Differ From Other Poker Games?
From seven-card stud and five-card draw to a Texas hold’em poker game, there are many ways to play online poker. If you want to learn how to play fast-fold poker, the good news is that it adopts the same fundamental principles of the traditional poker variations. The main difference is that players move around continually, rather than staying on a table until a winner is decided or they lose.
Folding in poker can be an extremely frustrating experience, and the wait that usually comes with it doesn’t help. If you fold during a traditional cash game or tournament, it can sometimes take minutes for the next round to take place. Combine this with the probability of having to fold multiple times due to weak hands, and it can take hours to become properly involved in a round of poker. As mentioned above, this can have many negative consequences, such as boredom, frustration, and the potential to tilt. Fast-fold poker offers a fresh and exciting way to play the game, keeping players more focused and involved in every round.
What Happens After Folding in Fast-Fold Poker?
In most cases, you will instantly move to a new table and be dealt a new hand when you fold in fast-fold poker. The only exception to this rule is when you’re playing in the big blind (BB) position. In the BB position, you can’t fold until someone raises before the flop. However, if players simply call (limp) without raising preflop, and no one makes a raise, you get to see the next set of community cards (the flop) for free while staying in the BB position.
How To Make Profitable Adjustments in Fast-Fold Poker
Like any variation of the game, fast-fold poker has its own set of strategies. When you’re in a fast-fold poker game, your opponents won’t be able to read your playing style like they would during online poker tournaments. This means that if you’re successfully playing aggressively through stealing blinds, bluffing, and other such tactics, there’s no need to change for the sake of thinking others know what you’re up to.
Due to the fast-moving nature of different tables and new opponents, you can get away with a lot more than a traditional game of poker.
Stealing Blinds
One profitable adjustment you can make is to the number of times you steal the blinds. It’s nearly impossible for opponents to pick up on your playing style, meaning you can consecutively attempt to steal blinds without others knowing you’re doing it so often. In a traditional game, your opponents would notice and stop you from doing so. Fast-fold poker players are far less likely to call on the blinds and risk losing, as they can just move to another table in an instant. If you’re in a late position, you should try stealing 85% of the blinds and increase your re-raises to fend off players using the same tactic.
Tight Play
In addition, it’s important to adjust to the tightness of fast-fold poker. If multiple opponents are betting during a round, there’s a higher chance they have a hand worth continuing the round for. Ways to combat this in your fast-fold poker strategy are lowering your bet amounts, continuation betting, and stealing pots. Although it is less likely, bluffing still occurs and must be considered.
Play Strong Hands
Another important adjustment you can make is to play strong hands and not to shy away from medium hands. Realize if a player stays in a game, it usually indicates a strong hand as weak hands are normally folded to move onto another table. But it all depends on what the dealer places on the table — your medium hand can turn into a winner.
Table Positioning
Table positioning in fast-fold poker should influence your betting behavior. If no one has raised the blinds and you’re sitting in a late position, always look to raise the blinds by 2–3x the amount to steal the blinds. On the other hand, if you’re either the small or big blind, a profitable adjustment can be to occasionally defend your blinds. Raising from the button can also cause players to fold, giving you a higher percentage of winning.
Play Poker on Borgata Online
Want to play real poker online? Borgata Online hosts an array of fast-fold poker games and online poker tournaments in various variations and buy-in amounts that can be played anytime, anywhere — on mobile, tablet, and computer. Register today and unlock our endless range of live dealer online casino games, online slots, and so much more.