Winamax's Innovation: Can Spin & Go Conquer Television?

Spin & Go is one of online poker’s biggest success stories: lightning-fast gameplay, thrilling dynamics, and the promise of massive prizes. The format, known by various names like Blast or Twister, has become immensely popular in online poker rooms. But can it work in a live setting?

French poker operator Winamax seeks to answer this question with its new TV show, Alerte Expresso, where three players—two in the studio and one online—compete head-to-head.

Prizes are determined by random multipliers, with the prize pool distributed as follows:

• 1st place: 80% of the prize pool
• 2nd place: 12%
• 3rd place: 8%

The minimum prize is €4,000, while the top prize can go as high as €800,000.

Players can secure a spot in the Alerte Expresso show by participating in €5 Expresso games. If a player hits the Alerte Expresso Jackpot multiplier and wins the game, they’ll be invited to the studio. Online participants are chosen through fast-paced qualifying events held just before the live show.

Currently, this innovation is exclusive to the French market, but if the show proves successful, it’s likely that other poker operators might adapt the format for international audiences.