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Fast Forward in Poker

Fast Forward is a term used primarily in online poker to describe formats that significantly speed up gameplay compared to traditional structures. It typically refers to two distinct concepts: Fast Forward cash games (also known as fast-fold poker) and Fast Forward tournaments (hyper-turbo or turbo tournaments with very fast blind levels and short time banks).

Fast Forward Cash Games

In fast-fold cash games (e.g., PokerStars' “Zoom” or PartyPoker's “Fast Forward”), players are immediately moved to a new table with a new hand after folding, without waiting for the current hand to finish. This allows players to play many more hands per hour—often 3–4 times the normal rate. The format is popular for players who want to avoid the downtime of waiting for blinds or for those seeking quick action. Stakes are typically micro to mid limits, and the game is often 6-max. Because hands are dealt rapidly, players must make decisions quickly, and the format rewards tight-aggressive play and strong preflop hand selection. There is no HUD (heads-up display) allowed on some sites to prevent data mining, though this varies.

Fast Forward Tournaments

Fast Forward tournaments are characterized by very short blind levels (e.g., 2–3 minutes) and accelerated structures. They are often referred to as “hyper-turbo” tournaments. The term “Fast Forward” may be used by specific online poker rooms to brand such tournaments. In these events, the blinds increase rapidly, forcing players to take risks early or risk being blinded out. Stack sizes are typically 20–30 big blinds at the start, and the format is highly volatile, with large swings. Strategy requires a focus on push-fold decisions and ICM considerations early on. These tournaments are popular for players with limited time or those who prefer high-action, high-variance games.

Key Features

• Speed: Hands per hour are drastically increased, often by 3–4x in cash games; blinds double every 2–5 minutes in tournaments.
• Decision Time: Players have very limited time—often 5–15 seconds—to act before auto-folding.
• Rake: Because more hands are played, the rake per hour can be higher, though the per-hand rake is usually the same.
• Strategy Adaptation: Tight preflop ranges and aggressive postflop play are common in fast-fold cash games. In hyper-turbo tournaments, push-fold charts and optimal shoving ranges are critical.

Example Scenario

In a Fast Forward cash game (NLHE $0.50/$1 Zoom), you are dealt AKo on the button. You raise to $3. The small blind folds, but the big blind re-raises to $10. You decide to 4-bet to $28. The big blind shoves all-in for $100. Because this is a fast-fold format, you have only 10 seconds to decide before the hand folds automatically. You must make a quick calculation of your pot odds and your opponent’s likely range (often strong since the 3-bet came from the blinds).

Related Terms

• Turbo Tournament: A tournament with shorter blind levels than normal, but not as extreme as hyper-turbo.
• Hyper-Turbo: Very fast blind increases, often 2–3 minutes per level.
• Zoom Poker: PokerStars' brand of fast-fold cash games. "Fast Forward" is not a standardized term across all platforms; it is often used as a product name by specific poker sites. Always check the specific rules and timing of the format you are playing.

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This explanation is based on common industry practices and may vary by poker room. No specific tournament results or player data are included.