If you head to the PokerStarslobby, you’ll now notice a filter for Zoom Poker tournaments. This marks the first tournament link to Zoom Poker, the fast-fold game introduced on PokerStars seven months ago that is currently confined to cash games. To see the filter for yourself, make sure you have the latest version of PokerStars’ software installed on your computer. Head to the tournament lobby and then open the “Tournament Filter” window located in the upper right corner.

If you look under “Format/Variant,” you’ll see selections for “Regular,” “Rebuy,” “Knockout,” “Shootout,” “Time,” Satellite,” “Sit & Go,” and now “Zoom.” You can check the “Zoom” box, but no tournaments currently come up, meaning that the option exists ahead of any qualifying tournaments. The “Zoom” checkbox does not exist in PokerStars’ sit and go lobby.

When Zoom Poker tournaments will make their debut on the world’s largest online poker site remains to be seen.

Zoom Poker was rolled out to PokerStars cash games in mid-March, allowing players to fold their cards in a hand and instantly be taken to a new table where a new hand with a new set of opponents would begin. There is minimal downtime and players can get in exponentially more hands per hour, enabling them to rack up player points and reach VIP goals faster than ever before.

In the days following Zoom Poker’s introduction, PokerScout estimated that one-quarter of all PokerStars cash gamers were playing the new format, which comprised about half of the site’s total cash game traffic. Not only that, PokerStars’ real money ring game traffic was up 50% since Zoom Poker’s launch. Needless to say, Zoom Poker was, and still is, quite popular.

PokerStars appears bent on enforcing its claims to the speed poker format now that it owns the rights to Rush Poker through its acquisition of the beleaguered Full Tilt. One PokerStars attorney recently told Casino Scam Report, “Together with our patent attorneys, we are undertaking a full analysis of the Rush Poker patent applications we have acquired. When the time is right, it is our intention to use these patents to protect the inventive elements of the Rush and Zoom products.”

PokerStars also recently released the ability to run-it-twice and will soon launch a beta of the newest incarnation of its software, dubbed PokerStars 7. In a preview of the new software, Pokerfuse detailed, “In general, there’s an emphasis away from popup windows. Lobby filters are now integrated directly into the client window above the table list, making it more akin to Full Tilt Poker’s client.” New lobby displays and a new way for players to view qualifiers for live poker events in their area are also included.

Are you looking forward to Zoom Poker tournaments? How important are Zoom tournaments to you in general? Leave a comment here and let us know.