Ocean KO: The Future of Online MTT Poker? GGPoker's New Format Sparks Debate

The Ocean KO format, introduced by Winamax in December 2024, has gained significant popularity in the online poker world. This new format features progressive knockouts with random multipliers, similar to spins, and has been criticized for its high variance and potential for manipulation. The record payout for a knockout in the Ocean KO format was €838,000, awarded in September 2026.

GGPoker introduced the Ocean KO format with multipliers up to 400x. The format has been criticized by some professional players for its high variance and potential for manipulation. Patrick Leonard, a professional poker player, predicts that the era of MTT regulars playing from their own bankrolls is coming to an end due to the high variance in these tournaments. Nick Palma, another professional player, has expressed frustration with the new format, stating that he no longer wants to play poker due to the increasing number of 'trashy' formats. Chris Brewer, yet another professional player, has expressed concerns about the potential for manipulation in these tournaments.

Despite the criticism, the Ocean KO format continues to gain popularity. The format has been praised for its excitement and potential for large payouts, but its high variance and potential for manipulation remain a concern for many players. As the format continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether it will become a staple in the online poker world or fade into obscurity.