Article réservé aux membres
Red-haired woman playing poker in a casino with gold chips in front of her.
The lure of the 1 million jackpot attracts many players to this format (© Poker Sciences)

Winamax Expresso - Complete Guide in 2024

An Expresso game can turn a few euros into a million... But is this poker format really for you? The answer is in this article.
24.4.2024

Article written by Gandalf, professional poker player, co-founder of Poker Sciences.

What is an Expresso on Winamax?

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.

Screenshot of an Expresso game on the Winamax site.
Screenshot of a €0.25 Expresso game on Winamax

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:

Comparison table between Expresso and Expresso Nitro (starting stack, blinds, and level duration).

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.

Payout Distribution

List of jackpots, associated probability, and distribution

The payout distribution principle is simple:

  • If the multiplier is 10 times the buy-in or less, the winner takes the entire jackpot.
  • Large jackpots, however, are shared between the three players as follows (example for a 1€ Expresso):
Payout distribution table based on jackpot and their probability in Expresso on Winamax.

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%.

Variability in Expresso

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.

Chart illustrating the variance of wins and losses in Expresso on Winamax.

Can you make money from Expressos?

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.

Payout distribution table based on jackpot and their probability in Expresso on Winamax without the largest jackpots.

How to join an Expresso poker game on Winamax?

To join an Expresso game:

  1. Start by signing up on Winamax (you can benefit from several bonuses up to €250 if you are a new player).
  2. Once your account is created, deposit funds (the minimum deposit amount is €15).
  3. To access the Expresso lobby, log in to the Winamax software, then go to the Expresso tab.
  4. Finally, select a game that suits your preferences and budget.
Screenshot of the Winamax software lobby.
Screenshot of the Winamax software lobby with different Expresso limits

Loyalty program and promotions

VIP program

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.

Table explaining how many Expresso games to play on the Winamax site to unlock VIP statuses.

And here is the rakeback you get depending on your VIP status:

Rakeback based on VIP status on Winamax.

Note that Winamax also offers additional bonuses to unlock in stages throughout the month, and also provides monthly tickets for VIP Freeroll tournaments.

Races (Expresso Challenge)

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).

Are Poker Expressos right for me?

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.

Red-haired woman who is sad because she’s losing at poker.
Variance management can sometimes be difficult in Expresso

Tips and strategies in Expresso on Winamax

Here are some essential tips for beginners and intermediate players in Expresso:

  • Make thoughtful decisions by playing only on one table. Multi-tabling is recommended for experienced players who beat their limit.
  • Use a tracker to track your games and analyze your overall CEV as well as your CEV by position. This is crucial for detecting your mistakes and monitoring your progress.
  • Regularly work on your game, prioritizing pre-flop play, and then post-flop play. You can start by consulting our preflop ranges for this format. Mastering these ranges rigorously will significantly improve your performance.
  • Use software like SwongSim to better understand variance. This will help you control your emotional reactions, ensuring you always play at your best level.
  • Learn how to develop an impeccable and disciplined bankroll management.

Chasing the Expresso Million

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.

Red-haired girl under a rain of coins and bills.
You are about twice as likely to hit the 5 winning numbers in the lottery than to win 1 million by playing a 10€ Expresso

If you still have questions

Are Expressos rigged?

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.

What is the profile of players at the Expresso tables?

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.

What is the CEV of good Expresso players on Winamax?

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€.

Is dynamic HUD allowed on Winamax?

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.

What winrate to be a winner in Expresso?

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).

References

Here are some sites we used to write this article, in addition to our personal experiences:

The rest of the article is reserved for members of Poker Sciences.
Good news, registration is 100% free.
Become a member
(takes less than a minute)
Already a member? Log in by clicking here.

Most read

(the article opens in a new tab)
Icon representing a preflop poker chart table.

Preflop range charts

Improve your preflop game with our freely accessible charts
Discover

Poker Sciences Quiz 🎯

Evaluate your poker skills with our quiz.
Let’s go!

Poker Charts 📈

Finally master preflop play thanks to our range charts.
Discover
It is a message of success
It's an error message