888 Poker Launches New Lottery Sit N Gos

Jackpot Sit N Gos have become the standard across most major poker rooms. I can't recall who first created them, but all I know is, I see them on just about every major site now. Each site has their iteration of the game, but the premise remains mostly the same. Players buy in for a set amount, and instead of playing for a prize pool made up from the buy ins, you have the potential to win a larger sum based on your luck. Before each sit n go, the prize pool is chosen, much like a slot machine. For example, you may buy in for $2, the minimum you could win is $4. But the most you could win is up to 100x your buy in; or $200. That's exciting proposition for anyone, which is why they are so popular. My experience playing these games, is that you primarily get the minimum and next stage prize pools. At times I would get 20x my buy in, but that was very rare. I have seen people get lucky and win the jackpot, changing their lives for just a $2 buy in. So you may be thinking that 888 is rolling out just another jackpot sit n go, big deal right? Most sites who have these games, are pretty much the same style across the board. They are 3 handed super turbo style sit n gos with a winner taking all format. The MPN network did get slightly creative with their rendition of these by adding in a slot machine spin at the beginning of each game, but still not really that different. To really separate themselves from the pack, 888 actually has a unique style that does separate it from everyone else. First, there are four players instead of 4. Already a big difference right from the start. This does change the prize pool slightly as well. Players also start with 1500 chips instead of the normal 300, or sometimes 500 chips. The most interesting twist is the addition of a timer. Depending on the amount of the prize pool, players have a set time to complete the game. If the timer counts down to zero, all players are forced all in each hand until someone wins. Essentially a crap shoot at this point. You can win 2x, 5x, 10x, 100x, 1,000x, or 10,000x the buy in. At 2x the buy in, only first place is paid. At 5x, two places are paid. At 10, and 100x, 3 places are paid. For 1,000 and 10,000x the buy in, all 4 places get paid. This is the other major change. Depending on how you look at it, these games are better than most. Having more starting chips favor the skilled players and lessens the risk factor a bit. If you have ever played a jackpot sit n go using the standard 300 starting chips, you know it becomes a luck fest, and can be very high variance. The time clock does kind of suck, but it's also a bit exciting and adds another element that forces you to create a new game plan. They are nice enough to provide more time, the bigger the prize pool.