PokerStars has released yet another version of poker, after recently introducing its virtual reality (VR) edition, and scrapping a few editions earlier in 2018.
Fusion is the name of the latest undertaking that PokerStars has set out to accomplish an interesting combination between Pot Limit Omaha and the traditional version of the game, Texas Hold’em.
Combining two of the worlds most played version of the game has been an interesting choice for PokerStars who recently introduced a virtual reality (VR) poker edition now in beta testing. Meanwhile, the Fusion poker game has been in development since at least May when PokerStars broke the news.
There have been speculations about the direction and essentials of the game. Some have thought that it would play closer to either versions, but PokerStars seem to be drawing enough from both games. According to the company, Fusion will open more like a Hold’em table and gradually transition into Omaha.
Fusion mixes two well-loved formats together giving an exciting twist to the game. We eagerly await player feedback and look forward to seeing everyone joining the tables, and giving Fusion a try.
PokerStars Director of Poker Innovation and Operations Severin Rasset
As per the rules, each player will receive two cards, followed by a Hold’em round and then the flop. At this point the game will change with an additional, third card, being dealt and players generally transitioning into four-hole cards at the next round.
After this stage has completed, players will be required to construct the best hand they can with the face-up cards and make their final bets. The revealed screenshots revealed a total of 80 big blinds in front of players, which means that players might as well be allowed to hold as many blinds as in previous versions of the game.
PokerStars have cautioned the crowds that their game is not “permanent” and it should be treated as a temporary break-away from the routine games that customers are accustomed to. Trying to play it safe about their games has become PokerStars’ trademark.
The company has been experimenting with a lot of formats in order to find a sweet spot and chart a new course for competitive poker, but lately the developers have decided to try and gauge customers’ opinions without making big promises.
Stakes in the game are also low, at $0.02/$0.05, which makes it a vastly accessible title that can be played by anyone interested, making the entry-level quite accommodating.
So far, the company’s efforts have focused on improving the user’s experience by hosting tournaments both online and offline, but in the past years, the company has become rather active publishing new versions of the game, most notably Unfold and the virtual reality one, which is still testing.
Unlike Unfold, which recently was removed already, VR may be here to stay, as it will not try to change the rules of the game inherently, but rather, it will try to introduce the product in a new and exciting way instead, allowing people to participate in a more realistic competition.
