Can You Play Flash Spins for Profit? Poker Pros Weigh In

Flash Spins, a faster version of Spin & Go, were introduced by Winamax in mid-2019 with a reduced starting stack of 300 chips and increasing blinds every minute. PokerStars and partypoker quickly followed with similar formats called Spin&Go Flash and Spins Ultra, respectively. GGпокерок, while not having fast spins, maintains a similarly dynamic game pace with levels lasting 1-2 minutes and a starting stack of 10 blinds.

Regular players were initially skeptical about Flash Spins, comparing them to slots due to the increased role of luck and reduced skill expression. Theoretical calculations suggested a third reduction in winrate, and initial results showed that the room, not the players, benefited. Two major pools, «Стальной Феникс» and Hyperschool, initially agreed to ignore Flash Spins, expecting low player interest and eventual removal by PokerStars. The boycott lasted a month and a half before Hyperschool decided to reintegrate Flash Spins.

Shvedkin, the leader of Hyperschool, explained that the boycott did not significantly affect traffic and that individual players benefited from the situation. PokerStars began offering individual promotions with 40% rakeback, which increased the profitability of Flash Spins. Regular player SM0LK0 experienced a significant loss while chasing personal bonuses, leading to a break from the game. Results from the pool «Стальной Феникс» showed that regulars could play Flash Spins up to $25 in profit, with higher limits breaking even or slightly negative but remaining profitable due to individual bonuses.