Expresso is an ultra-turbo poker format, a type of Sit & Go available on Winamax, where 3 players compete for a random jackpot, in games lasting an average of 5 minutes.
You have the choice between 2 different formats: the “classic” espresso and Expresso Nitro. For each of the two formats, 11 buy-ins are available from €0.25 to €500. (€0.25, €0.50, €1, €2, €5, €5, 10€, 25€, 50€, 50€, 100€, 100€, 250€ and 500€).
The difference between the “classic” Expresso and the Nitro lies in the starting stack and the duration of the blind levels:
As you can see, the Expresso Nitro is an accelerated version of the classic Expresso with a smaller starting stack and even shorter blind levels.
The payout distribution principle is simple:
The payout distribution system is similar for other buy-ins. If you want more information on this, you can visit the Winamax website by clicking here.
Note that the rake charged on Expressos is 7%, except for 0.25€ and 0.50€ Expressos where it is 8%.
Short-term profits or losses in Expresso are highly fluctuating and influenced by several factors such as multipliers, card distribution and luck during all-in. This uncertainty makes the game very attractive to many players as they can achieve significant gains quickly. However, it is important to note that the risks of losses are of course also high.
In the long term, however, the variability of gains decreases significantly, and a skilled player has a high probability of regularly making money.
Yes, many good poker players make money regularly in Expresso. However, as explained above, short-term gains are not guaranteed due to variance, and most players in these formats are losers.
Also, it is important to note that profitability can be more challenging in Expresso than in other Spin formats due to the very large multipliers (notably the x10,000, which allows playing for a million euros with an initial bet of 10€) that are extremely rare. To set up these big jackpots, Winamax has to reduce the probability of occurrence of lower jackpots, which makes the rake higher than it seems at first glance.
To compensate for this, you will either need to play a very large number of games or have a much higher skill level than other players at your limit.
To join an Expresso game:
Expresso is a very fast game format, allowing you to play many games in a short time. As such, it is essential for regular players to take into account the Winamax VIP program, which can offer significant rakeback depending on the limits you play.
The entire program is explained on Winamax VIP program.
Here is a table summarizing the number of Expressos to complete to unlock the main VIP statuses:
Note that the statuses from Chrome to Platinum are unlocked on a monthly basis, whereas for VIP statuses from Diamond "1 carat" onwards, you must complete this number of games monthly for one year to unlock them.
And here is the rakeback you get depending on your VIP status:
Note that Winamax also offers additional bonuses to unlock in stages throughout the month, and also provides monthly tickets for VIP Freeroll tournaments.
In addition to VIP statuses, Winamax rewards the best Expresso players daily through the Expresso Challenge. The rules are simple, each Expresso won earns 1 point (0.6 points if it's an Expresso Nitro).
Challenges start at 00:01 and end at 23:59. Every day, the top 50 players in each limit receive a prize ranging from 0.5 to 10 buy-ins.
For more information on the Expresso challenge (ranking, prizes and specific rules).
Expressos can be a great option for you if you enjoy dynamic poker are able to handle variance
They are also ideal for those who have limited time, as an Expresso lasts less than ten minutes.
Here are some essential tips for beginners and intermediate players in Expresso:
One of the major attractions of Expressos on Winamax is the possibility of winning one or even two million euros starting from just 2€ buy-ins.
Keep in mind, however, that the chances of hitting these amazing jackpots are extremely slim, which means you should manage your expectations and bankroll prudently.
No, they are not. As an operator accredited by the National Gaming Authority (ANJ), Winamax meets the strict criteria set by the ANJ regarding legality, security, and player protection.
The level of play in Expresso is generally comparable to that observed in other Spin formats (Twisters, Spin and Go, etc.). This means a significant proportion of recreational players compared to regular players.
The CEV is highly dependent on the limit played.
Here are some CEV targets you can aim for if you have a good level: 65 and above in micro-limits, 50 and above at 10€, 40 and above at 20€, and 33 and above at 50€.
No, it is not. Dynamic HUDs give players using them more precise information about their opponents than static HUDs. They are prohibited on most poker sites.
A winrate of 35.8% (classic and Nitro Expresso) (or 36.7% depending on whether or not large multipliers are included) is required to be a winner in Expresso (excluding the rakeback, which will be added to the gains made at the tables).
Here are some sites we used to write this article, in addition to our personal experiences: