How Sustainable Is Rush Poker?

[PokerNations]

I posted a new blog here at PAL regarding Rush Poker.

Is it the wave of the future for online gaming, or just a passing fad? Check out the blog and see if you agree or disagree.

[pokeraussie]

Not only is volume increased but there is an inability to get good reads on your opponents. I personally haven't played a hand of Rush for this reason.

[LadyHoldem]

I disagree Aussie. There's a bit more paying atten involved. But I do see the same names over and over. The note taking feature is really vital in Rush. You get the same amount of time to act.. so you have time to look at and take good notes.

You're usually playing against a cpl hundred ppl, but you're seeing the same faces because as is common, the same guys are in the action more often then others.

[pokeraussie]

Yes you will bump into the same players, but your history with them is limited. (I think this is less of an issue at mid stakes, where the player pool is smaller). You will play fewer hands against the same player, and with the limited sample size their stats will not influence your action when making a tough decision, like it would if you had bigger sample size.

Also, if its necessary to pay more attention, why would you bother? That's the last thing you need if you are multi-tabling.

I think Rush appeals to recreational players - but serious players will stick with the normal games imo.

[thefarang]

Wow, what timing. Today I just wrote a post about it as well:

Rush Poker at Full Tilt Poker – What Impact Will It Have on Poker? ? Bill's Poker Blog

[pokeraussie]

Good post Bill. You raised another interesting point... the tilt factor. You have an inability to know if a new player who just came to the table is being aggressive because they have a good hand, or whether its because they are tilting from a bad beat they just had on another table.

[PokerNations]

Wow, what timing. Today I just wrote a post about it as well:

Rush Poker at Full Tilt Poker – What Impact Will It Have on Poker? ? Bill's Poker Blog

I think you have two spectrums of players. There are those who tighten up to the point of nut peddling (so you run into the proverbial QQ against AK for stack scenerios)

And then there are those who take the exact opposite approach and prey on the tightening up of others, and raise 100% (or close to) of their hands. They figure they can steal often enough to overcome the times they are called or played back at (where oftentimes they can get away since they're playing any two cards)

One of the biggest issues is that over the long-haul, losing players normally might not realize they're losing. With the regular speed of games they might not pay much attention and when asked will say:

I'm about break event

or

I'm a little up/down


But when you put them into Rush Poker and they arrive at their losses phenomenally quicker, there's a chance it will dawn on them how much they're losing.

There are arguments that some of those players will work to improve their game and become better and more sustainable. And others have too much gamble and won't stop playing regardless.

But in my view, the larger segment will burn through what they're willing to deposit too quickly, or recognize they're losing (and blame it on bad luck, rigged sites, whatever) and stop putting themselves into action.

Then the games tighten up and prove unsustainable over the long term. Hardcore grinder vs. hardcore grinder action will not keep these games running 5 years down the road, there needs to be a sustainable pool of fish.

But if you overfish the pond it won't replenish.

[Spry]

I'm only a casual player. While Rush was cool for a little while, I don't like it that much and prefer to play regular online poker when I go to play. Mostly because I like to get a history on the table and get a feel for who I'm playing. It seemed like to me a lot of players were just folding all but top 10 mostly... I will probably still play it every now and again when I've only got 20 mins to kill and want a little action.

[jdwanchalk]

There is a real time Rush HUD available now, so you can get stats while you play.

[addz123]

Personally, I think Rush poker will prevail, and every bigger poker room will start copying it.

I definately think "good" poker players will get tired of it, given the disavantages or being able to read people etc.

However I think the "fish" and thousands of other players who play for money without knowing too much bout the game will continue to use it. Basically, any player who hasn't yet learned to multi-table will be playing rush, because they cannot be arsed to wait for zzzzzzzzzz new hands.

Just my $0.02c