888poker Blast is a lottery-style jackpot sit and go format, and it has become one of the more talked-about games on the site. Players sit down at a three-handed table, and before the tournament starts the prize pool is set at random. Most of the time the multiplier is small, but occasionally it is huge. According to PokerListings, the top multiplier, x10,000, comes up about once per million entries at every buy-in.
That makes Blast a fascinating product for players who like a bit of fun with their poker. But it also makes it a game where a clear understanding of the math, the rake, and the rewards is essential. This guide explains how Blast works, what the published numbers tell us, and how to approach the format sensibly.
How Blast works
Blast tournaments are played in a 3-max format, and there are nine Blast tournaments you can enter at any time. Each prize pool is set randomly before the tournament starts. The possible multipliers are x2, x3, x5, x10, x25, x100, and x10,000, and the odds vary by buy-in. PokerListings notes that in the tables published for the game, x2 and x3 are the most common multipliers.
The format is different from a standard sit and go. In a normal three-handed SNG, the prize pool equals the sum of the buy-ins minus the rake. In a jackpot SNG, the prize is determined by a random multiplier. A player who wins when the multiplier is high takes a large prize, while the same win on a low multiplier pays much less. Because the multiplier is drawn before the tournament begins, it is independent of anyone's skill.
That makes skill matter in only one dimension: who wins the table. In an equally skilled field, each player has a one-in-three chance of winning, and the lottery element sits on top of that. A stronger player can raise his chance of winning above one in three, but he cannot influence the multiplier.
The rake
The rake is the most important number in any lottery SNG. PokerListings reports that rake ranges from 10 percent on the $0.10 and $0.50 buy-ins down to 6.13 percent on the $100 buy-in. That is a wide range, and it matters because rake is a guaranteed cost on every entry, regardless of results.
To put that in perspective, a 10 percent rake means that, over a long sample, the average player loses 10 cents of every dollar spent on buy-ins before any skill edge is considered. At 6.13 percent, the cost is about 6 cents. A player would need a meaningful edge over the field to overcome those costs, and in a three-handed game with a random multiplier, the room for edge is small because the lottery element does not reward skill.
This is why some serious players view lottery SNGs as entertainment rather than as a way to make a living. If you want to make a profit from poker, regular tournaments and cash games usually offer better value because skill has more room to operate. See our bankroll management guide and cash games vs tournaments comparison to decide where to focus.
Rewards on top of the rake
Blast is not only about the random multiplier. PokerListings highlights two additional ways to earn: daily leaderboards and a cashback program.
Daily leaderboards
Each day there are three boards. One counts only your first 10 Blasts, one counts your first 30, and one counts every Blast you play. Players earn 2 points for finishing first and 1 point for finishing second or third, multiplied by the tournament's multiplier. Daily prizes are capped at $500 in bonuses and tournament tickets, which stay valid for seven days.
The leaderboard structure rewards both volume and luck. Because points are multiplied by the multiplier, a single win on a high multiplier can propel you up a board. The boards that count only the first 10 or 30 Blasts give players who play fewer games a chance to compete.
Cashback
Regulars of the $50 and $100 jackpot tournaments can earn rakeback, which the article says can reach 40 percent. The tiers listed are 10 percent for $30 to $499 in weekly fees and 30 percent for $1,000 to $3,999 in weekly fees. Fees are counted from Monday to Sunday, paid within 72 hours of the end of the week, and must be claimed within seven days.
The article does not list the details of the tier between those two or the one that reaches 40 percent, so check the promotion page before you rely on a particular number. The key point is that cashback reduces the effective rake. A 30 percent cashback on a rake of about 6 percent reduces the effective cost to roughly 4.3 percent on those buy-ins. For a high-volume player, that is a meaningful difference. Our explainer on what is rakeback shows how to work out the real cost of playing, and our rakeback page lists sites with strong deals.
Do the numbers work in your favour?
It is important to be honest about the maths. With a rake between 6.13 and 10 percent, the expected return of an average player is below the amount he pays. Skill can narrow the gap in three-handed play, but because the prize pool is random, the edge is limited. Cashback and leaderboards can offset some of the cost, but they do not turn a lottery SNG into a profitable game for everyone.
Here is a simple way to think about it:
- Entertainment value. If you enjoy the thrill of a possible big multiplier, Blast offers that for a small stake. The cost of the fun is the rake.
- Variance. The distribution is highly skewed. Most of the time you win nothing, occasionally you win a small multiple, and very rarely you win a huge prize. A player with a small bankroll can lose many buy-ins in a row.
- Time and volume. The leaderboards and cashback reward volume. If you play a lot, you may reach higher cashback tiers. If you play occasionally, you probably will not.
None of this is a criticism of the format. It is simply a description of what it is: a lottery with a poker flavour.
Strategy tips for Blast
If you decide to play, there are a few ways to get the most out of the format.
Choose the right buy-in
Rake is lower at higher buy-ins, but so is your margin for error. Pick a buy-in that you can afford to lose without it affecting your bankroll. A good rule is to treat Blast money as entertainment funds, separate from your serious poker bankroll.
Play to win the table
In a three-handed SNG, only the winner receives the jackpot prize in the typical lottery format, so the incentive to win is strong. Be aggressive in short-handed play. Open wide in position, apply pressure, and pick up blinds. Use the strategic principles from our poker strategy hub and brush up on short-handed concepts. A poker odds calculator will help you check your equity in all-in spots.
Take advantage of the leaderboards
Check the leaderboard before you play. If you are close to the daily cap or to a prize, a few extra Blasts could move you up. If you are far behind, think twice before chasing. Remember that tickets expire after seven days, so use them promptly.
Track your cashback
Know your weekly rake total and the thresholds for each cashback tier. If you are $50 below the next tier, an extra session may be worth it. If you are far below, it may not be.
Avoid tilt
Lottery formats can be emotionally charged. A run of busts or a near miss on a big multiplier can trigger tilt. Our explainer on what is tilt offers practical advice. Set a loss limit and stick to it.
Alternatives to consider
If you want a format with more skill, regular sit and gos, multi-table tournaments, and cash games provide a better environment. They have lower rake in percentage terms at many stakes and give you more control over your results. If you are new to the game, our beginner poker sites guide and Texas Hold'em page are a good place to start. For readers who prefer a crypto-friendly environment, our BC Poker review and crypto poker guide cover another style of poker site.
Final thoughts
888poker Blast is a straightforward lottery SNG with a wide range of multipliers, a rake between 6.13 and 10 percent, and extra rewards in the form of leaderboards and cashback. It can be fun and occasionally lucrative, but the math is not in the player's favour unless the rewards are used effectively. Treat it as entertainment, keep your stakes affordable, and make sure you understand the rake before you click "register".
As always, the best poker decisions come from knowing the numbers. Read the promotion terms, calculate your effective cost, and play within your means. If you want to compare sites and formats before deciding where to play, visit our real money poker guide.