Two new products are coming to the tables at partypoker, following a pair of announcements from the online poker operator; Knockout tournaments and a new cash-game called Fast Five are now part of the platform.

Progressive Knockouts

While the format was once considered a novelty, Progressive Knockout tournaments, also known as progressive bounty tournaments, have become extremely popular in the poker community. In regular bounty tournaments, a portion of each player’s buy-in is reserved as their bounty, and displayed above their avatar during play. Whenever a player busts an opponent, they win both the pot and the bounty of their competitor. The format gives participants the chance to win money even if they fail to cash in the tournament.

Unlike regular Knockout tournaments, Progressive KOs award winners only a portion of a bounty, while adding the rest to that player’s own bounty. As more players are eliminated, the bounties grow increasingly higher, and can drastically increase the incentive to knock remaining players out of the tournament.

For example, in a partypoker Progressive KO with a $22 buy-in, $10 would go to the prize pool, while the remaining $10 would serve as the bounty. If a player busted an opponent, he would be credited half of the bounty ($5) immediately, while the other $5 would be added on to his own bounty. The winner’s bounty would therefore increase to $15 (his $10 starting bounty + the $5 progressive bounty).

The player who eventually wins the event will not only pocket the second place finisher’s bounty, but will keep his own as well. The accumulated bounties of the entire tournament can result in a substantial win for a player, without even considering the tournament payout schedule.

Initially, partypoker will offer Progressive KOs three-times daily in $1,000, $2,500 and $10,000 guaranteed events, Monday – Saturday, while upping the prize pools to $2,000, $3,000 and $15,000 on Sundays.

Monday – Saturday

Time (CET)	Tournament Name	Starting Bounty	Progressive Bounty	Total Buy-in
21:00	$1,000 GTD – Progressive KO: FeaTDerweight	$2.50	$1.25	$5.50
21:00	$2,500 GTD – Progressive KO: Middleweight	$10	$5	$22
21:00	$10,000 GTD – Progressive KO: Heavyweight	$50	$25	$109

Sunday

Time (CET)	Tournament Name	Starting Bounty	Progressive Bounty	Total Buy-in
21:00	$2,000 GTD – Progressive KO: FeaTDerweight	$2.50	$1.25	$5.50
21:00	$3,000 GTD – Progressive KO: Middleweight	$10	$5	$22
21:00	$15,000 GTD – Progressive KO: Heavyweight	$50	$25	$109

Fast Five Cash Games

Also announced was the addition of a new cash game format called Fast Five. The adrenaline-fueled Fast Five is essentially a six max cash game in which players start with just five big blinds. The game is played using the same rules as a regular cash game and is custom-made to force action at the tables. The low buy-in requirement also allows players with small bankrolls to join in the fun.

888 launched a game with a similar format in 2011 called Push/Fold. The innovation is in line with other trends in the poker industry, which seek to engage recreational players who prefer fast action to waiting long periods to receive playable hands.

“Today we launch two new products on partypoker that will suit both tournament and cash game players,” said Group Head of partypoker Tom Waters. “Progressive Knockout tournaments are a popular format in the poker community so it was important to respond to feedback and offer these on partypoker. Fast Five is a fun, fast-paced cash game, suitable for players with only a short amount of time but wanting action quickly.”