TAG Speed Poker Strategy: Opening Ranges

Speed Poker, Zoom Poker, Rush Poker - It's all the same new variant of poker taking over the online stratosphere. Some even predict that one day regular games will no longer exist online and that the majority of games will become a speed poker variant.

The speed poker games do play slightly different to regular games and they do attract a lot more recreational players as its fast, fun and quicker to sit down and get going.

Because it's fast and frantic, you'll have to adjust the hands that you play from certain positions in speed poker. This strategy article is intended to help get you on the right lines!

Speed poker opening range strategy by position:

• VPIP 11.8% + Open Sizing 4x

This range means we can never get into trouble. We have a strong opening range and when 4xing it we will get max value from villains calling and 3betting range. We will be in control of the pot and pre flop its easy to know which hands we fold, call 3bets vs or 5bet to get in. 

• VPIP 15% + Open Sizing 3.5x

Opening 3.5x with this solid range will build us pots with strong hands or hands that flop well which won’t be dominated. Again it will be easy to know which hands to call, fold, 3b and stack with.

• VPIP 25.5% + Open Sizing 3x

Opening up a lot more in the cut off. Will stop us being 3bet as much but still allows us to steal plenty of blinds. Our hands can be dominated when called but more often than not our initiative will win the pot with a cbet. Our post flop play should be to cbet good flops for us but not being afraid to check back and give up on boards we have completely missed.

• VPIP 42.15% + Open Sizing 2.5x

Opening 2.5x is a change from our usual 2x min raise. This sizing will make regs must less inclined to call and play back. Also the hands we open with all play well post flop so we won’t find ourselves getting into seriously tricky spots. We still steal tons of blinds by opening this range which will boost our profit line. Again do not be afraid to check back and give up on flops for us that give us no real hope such as 789ss when we have A2os.

Use these guidelines to get started and then adjust to your opponents as you gain more information and knowledge on them!