When it comes to online poker, one of the biggest innovations in recent years has been the advent of “fast fold” or “speed” poker games. These games allow players to immediately fold their hand and be whisked away to a new table with new opponents and a new hand. The most popular version of this type of game is called Zoom Poker, offered exclusively by PokerStars.
So, is Zoom Poker better than traditional online poker Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons.
The Pros
- Speed: This is obviously the biggest selling point of Zoom Poker. Players can play hands at a much faster pace than traditional games, which means more hands per hour and more potential winnings.
- No waiting for hands to finish: In traditional online poker games, if you’re not in a hand, you have to wait for that hand to finish before you can move on to the next one.
In Zoom Poker, as soon as you fold your hand you’re moved immediately to a new table with a new set of opponents and cards.
- Less time required: Because hands are played much faster in Zoom Poker, players can get their fix in much less time. This makes it ideal for those with busy schedules who want to fit in some quick poker action without having to commit hours of their time.
- Difficult for opponents: Because players are constantly moving tables and opponents in Zoom Poker, it can be difficult for your opponents to get a read on your playing style. This can make it easier for skilled players to outmaneuver their opponents.
The Cons
- No time to develop reads on opponents: One of the biggest drawbacks of Zoom Poker is that you don’t have much time to develop reads on your opponents. Because you’re constantly moving tables and players, it can be difficult to get a good sense of how your opponents are playing.
- Harder to build a table image: In traditional online poker games, you can develop a table image over time by consistently playing hands in a certain way. This can make it easier to bluff or make big bets later on in the game.
In Zoom Poker, because you’re constantly moving tables and opponents, it’s much harder to build up this kind of table image.
- Higher variance: Because you’re playing more hands per hour in Zoom Poker, there’s also a higher potential for variance. This means that even skilled players can experience long periods of losing streaks.
- Less social interaction: Finally, one of the drawbacks of Zoom Poker is that there’s less social interaction between players. Because you’re constantly moving tables and opponents, it can be difficult to develop rivalries or friendships with other players like you might in traditional online poker games.
The Verdict
So, is Zoom Poker better than traditional online poker The answer is… it depends.
If you’re looking for a fast-paced poker experience that allows you to play more hands in less time and potentially win more money, then Zoom Poker is definitely worth checking out. However, if you prefer the slower pace and social interaction of traditional online poker games or if you rely heavily on developing reads on your opponents or building a table image, then Zoom Poker might not be for you.
Ultimately, the choice between Zoom Poker and traditional online poker comes down to personal preference. Try both types of games out for yourself and see which one you prefer!
