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Ever since the virtual version of online poker became a hobby (or profession) for millions of players across the globe, the state of the game has changed enormously. From a handful of options to endless menus filled with poker variants of all shapes and sizes, online poker is now a glowing a vibrant industry.
Naturally, as the community has grown and the economy matured, so has the players that play the game and, because of this, the tactics you need to employ in order to win have changed. While it was once possible to ante-up and continue betting until everyone folded, a more sophisticated approach is now necessary. In fact, when you play poker at betfair [3] you'll find that the strategy you need to utilize in standard games is vastly different from the approach required at the fast-fold tables.
To help you improve your win rate in the latter, known on Betfair as Speed Poker tables, here's a breakdown of the main strategy considerations you need to bear in mind. Of course, as with all forms of poker, dynamics will dictate the exact techniques you employ. However, if you can keep the following tips in your locker and break them out as and when required, you'll find it much easier to make money in any situation at the felt.
The Basics of Speed Poker
When you ante-up at one of Betfair's Speed Poker tables you do so with a group (or pool) of like-minded players. Each pool can hold between 5 and 1,500 players and the main premise of the game is that after you fold your hand you are instantly transported to a new table with a new hand.
Because of this format's pace, four tables of Speed Poker will enable you to play around 1,200 hands per hour. In contrast, four standard cash games will offer you around 280 hands per hour.
Strategy Fundamentals for Speed Poker
Because Speed Poker allows you to play so many hands, it can feel as though you're constantly running into the nuts. Obviously this isn't the case, but when you're facing a barrage of hands it can certainly appear that way. Because of this it's important to have a positive mindset when you play [4]. Don't go on tilt because of single bad beat or mistimed bluff. If things do become too much for you, then the best thing to do is take a break and return when you're feeling calm.
After you've established a profitable mindset, you'll want to embrace the need for speed. In Speed Poker trying to steal from last position with marginal hands is a waste of time. Because you can fold and instantly find a new hand there is no need to play when you're weak. Basically, if the hand you're looking at isn't in the top 10% of pre-flop holdings then simply hit the fold button and move on until you find a hand that is.
Of course, if you're in the blinds or there is a chance to limp then playing suited connectors wouldn't be a bad idea. However, you shouldn't actively be pushing the pace with these sorts of hands in Speed Poker because there will be better opportunities around the corner. Moreover, because everyone will be using this mindset, it also means you'll be more likely to run into a strong hand when someone does call your opening raise.
Finding Ranges with Greater Ease
Another benefit of playing Speed Poker is that the ranges of fish [5] are more clearly defined because you can assume that they are waiting for a strong hand (usually in the top 10%). Because a bad player's range is more defined, you can overcall with a lot of hands when you're in late position because of the huge edge you can have post-flop. The point is that weak players will become tighter pre-flop because of the "fast fold" button; however, they will remain just as weak post-flop as they are in normal ring game tables.
In fact, it will often be the case that they are unable to give up a hand like top pair or an over pair, regardless of how ugly the board becomes. This is exactly where you can win the most money because the casual players are not able to work out when they hold no more than a bluff catcher. In these situations, good value betting is extremely important.
Count Your 3-Bet Bluffs
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[7] by [8]Biker Jun [8] [9]
The final piece of strategy advice you need to bear in mind when playing Speed Poker is 3-bet bluffs from the Big Blind. In general, you'll get a fair amount of credit for 3-betting from the small blind, this isn't the case when you're in the big blind. In the big blind we often have hands that we can use to actively or passively defend against a steal, because we are the ones finishing the action. Therefore, if you genuinely had a strong hand you'd be more inclined to call and allow our opponent to bet into you post-flop rather than force them to fold pre-flop.
Although this doesn't mean you shouldn't mix in 3-bet bluffs from the Big Blind, it does mean you should do it sparingly [10]. Essentially, Speed Poker is all about your speed. Play quickly, avoid marginal spots and cut down on the amount of bluffs you make and the amount of money you win should increase dramatically. Of course, nothing is ever guaranteed in the online poker world, but if you can use the simple techniques highlighted in this article, you should be able to improve your win rate in any fast-fold poker format you choose to play.