Partypoker Changes Heads-Up Cash Games to Fast-Fold Format

Partypoker recently announced that it’s switching traditional heads-up games for fast-fold ones. Given the predatory behaviour associated with these games and partypoker’s traffic struggles, we can’t say we’re surprised. However, let’s have a look at what this means for the poker room.

While partypoker never had the highest cash game traffic, it did extremely well for itself a few years ago. Its highest concurrent cash game players on a 30-day average fell between 2,500 and 2,750 in 2020. 

However, it didn’t hold those numbers, and traffic has decreased since then. This is largely due to Entain, its parent company, shifting its focus to regulated markets, which resulted in the company withdrawing from various grey markets.

There have even been reports and speculation that Entain is looking to sell partypoker. However, Jaime Staples, a partypoker ambassador, stated something different. He says, “Currently, my understanding, and that of the people I work closely with at partypoker, is that this is all speculation.”

This brand is trying to combat the declining traffic and to boost it from the concurrent 600 seats or less it’s averaging. For this reason, it’s implemented a few new features. In 2023, it removed various SNG offerings that were losing their popularity and streamlined the lobby. However, that’s not all, as the latest step also helps protect recreational players.

Heads-up titles have a long and challenging history in the poker community. They’re one of the games where predatory players often participate in bum-hunting. Bum-hunting is when a player avoids others of similar or better skill and solely plays games where weaker players join.

The game also showed extreme differences in skill between experienced and new players. It often led to catastrophic losses for new and casual players. With the fast-fold option, players are randomly matched with opponents for each hand. As such, there’s no chance for players to choose someone with a perceived weakness.

Partypoker decided to eliminate the traditional heads-up cash game format. All heads-up titles will now use partypoker’s fast-fold format, FastForward, which debuted in 2012.

This change delivers a “greater availability of Heads-Up action.” However, Sam Bayliss, Entertain Poker Specialist, had more to say. “It also ensures a fairer playing field, with all players facing off against a cross section of different opponents in the pool.”

There are five different stake tables with the FastForward games, ranging between $0.05/$0.10 and $2.50/$5. The brand’s original solution was implementing a KOTH (King of the Hill) system. It also started floating the mandatory real names of players.

Many other brands have tried to solve the issue. PokerStars tried various solutions and finally switched to fast-fold games. The iPoker network implemented Hogging Prevention, and 888poker removed the game altogether.

Partypoker’s latest change makes it safer for players to enjoy. The streamlined site and lobby are ideal for recreational players. With this latest change, recreational players can further enjoy the site without worrying. It keeps stronger players preying on them and creates a more enjoyable site.