PokerStars recently added two new game variants called Deep Water Hold'em and Tempest Hold'em. Deep Water Hold'em is just like regular 6-handed hold'em except with deep stacks, a third blind, and escalating antes in non-showdown pots. Tempest Hold'em sounds like a lot of fun for because it's a simple concept: all-in or fold.
Another day, another new form of poker from PokerStars. You gotta hand it to the crew in research and development. They're diligently in their workshops toiling at silly tweaks in an effort to create the next big thing. Sometimes you go a little too far astray when trying to create new things. Sometimes the best innovations are a simple tweak on an already simple thing.
In that spirit, the two newest forms of poker that PokerStars is introducing might actually stick because these new games are simple tweaks that enhance game play. At the same time, Tempest Hold'em and Underwater Hold'em will appeal to vastly different types of players.
According to Severin Rasset, Managing Director of Poker, "If you've followed along for the last couple of years you will have noticed our commitment to poker innovation hasn't dampened. We've been busy continually trying out new formats and game types, listening to your response, and going back to the lab. The classic games that we all love aren't going anywhere, but creating new and exciting variants is vital to our mission of growing poker and meeting, head on, the expanding variety of other entertainment options the modern world provides. Plus, it's one of the best parts of the job."
Sometimes people just want action. Can you blame them? The daily grind of life is so boring at times that you need something drastic to switch up the monotony. That's when poker players are flirting with disaster because their need to have action can get them into dangerous trouble. One of the biggest mistakes you can make at the poker table is to force the action and not remain patient and find a good spot. Well, with Tempest Hold'em, those types of action-seekers have a chance to play all-in or fold against a table full of push-monkeys and adrenaline junkies.
The best decisions in life are binary. Yes or no. Vanilla or chocolate. All-in or fold. Democrat or Republican. Okay, scratch that last example. That was a bad one.
But the all-in or fold situation is one of the most liberating decisions to make in poker because it's very simple and it's not something you'll pull your hair out trying to make a decision. It's also something that you will not fret over for days, weeks, months, or years... of you made a bad play.
Tempest is six-handed and with three blinds. In Tempest Hold'em there is no bad play, just pure push and pray.
If you like to test your fate with the poker gods, then Tempest Hold'em will provide you with a chance to push your chips into a pot and ride or die with the hand you're dealt. If you like old-school westerns or just like the thrill of facing an all-in against a foe while riding the wave of excitement and adrenaline as the cards are revealed... then what are you waiting for? Fire up PokerStars and start playing Tempest ASAP.
Deep Water Hold'em is just like regular hold'em except with deep stacks and an added blind with a tweak in escalating antes. Some of the best games you see in casinos or home games involve when someone straddles to induce the action. A third blind, which will be double the typical big blind, will be added to every game to create a triple blinds scenario to create more action and involvement with other players.
Deep Water will be for players who like playing 50-150 BB deep. To simplify things, that means you can buy-in for anywhere between $50 and $150 at a $0.25/$0.50/$1.00 table.
"We recognise that poker players have different motivations for playing, and we continue to learn more about them with each new game we develop," added Severin Rasset. "Whether you're drawn to the strategic battling of Deep Water, the quick-fire action of PokerStars Tempest, or any other of your favourite poker games, our goal is to have something for you every time you open PokerStars and to get better with every hand you play. And remember to keep your eyes peeled, because there are more exciting variants coming soon!"
If you do not remember, PokerStars recently axed Power Up, which was their attempt to gamify poker and make it more appealing tot he esports and gaming crowd.
PokerStars also shelved former innovations such as Showtime, Split Hold'em, and Beat the Clock.
