Changes to jackpot sit-and-go structure and payouts
888poker recently revamped its BLAST Poker offering, the online poker room’s version of the popular jackpot sit-and-go format. The changes involve both the structure of the game itself and the payout tables.
888 introduced BLAST Poker in 2016 in response to competitors like PokerStars and Winamax, who already had jackpot sit-and-gos for some time. The games are quick and appeal to recreational players who might not have the time to participate in extended poker sessions.
From four- to three-handed
The change 888 players will notice immediately is that BLAST games are now three-handed, matching the standard around the industry. BLAST was unique among jackpot sit-and-gos in that they were four-handed from launch.
The reason for the adjustment, according to an 888poker rep on Two Plus Two, was for the “games to start faster”.
BLAST was unique among jackpot sit-and-gos in that they were four-handed from launch
The other distinctive feature of BLAST Poker remains intact. After a few minutes – the duration varies based on the prize pool multiplier – players are automatically put all-in.
Prize pool multipliers adjusted
The other modification to the BLAST Poker game is less apparent but significant nonetheless. 888 modified the prize pool multipliers, increasing the number of different multipliers from six to seven.
Up until this point, the possible prize pool multipliers were 2x, 5x, 10x, 100x, 1,000x, and 10,000x. With the new structure, the 1,000x has been removed, and both a 3x and 25x multiplier have been added.
Much of the 10x and 5x probability has been shifted down to the 3x, and some has gone to the 2x.
Average multiplier decreased
The expected value of the prize pool multiplier in a $5 BLAST Poker game is now 2.742x, a steep drop from the 3.656x it was before.
It is a similar situation at higher buy-in levels. The $30 BLAST games, for instance, now have an expected multiplier of 2.797x versus 3.733x previously.
it is now actually in line with 888’s competitors
The reduction in the average prize pool multiplier looks bad at first read, but it is now actually in line with 888’s competitors. For example, looking at the $5 Spin & Go at PokerStars, the expected multiplier is 2.790x. At the $25 and $50 buy-ins (there is no $30), the expected value is 2.820x.
The decrease is likely directly related to the drop in players from four to three. The games will go faster, so the prize pool distribution needs to be adjusted accordingly.