Ever wanted to get your cards back from the muck? This new format from PokerStars allows you to 'Unfold' your hand.

As we hinted last week, PokerStars have just launched the latest in a line of experimental novelty formats - Unfold.

Following trials of Split Hold'em and Showtime Hold'em, Unfold has hit the lobby today and will see players who have folded their hand still have the chance to compete for a side pot.

It plays just like No Limit Hold'em except that at the start of the hand everybody pays an Unfold ante which creates a side pot. Then when the the flop is reached, players who have previously folded their hands have the option to 'unfold' meaning betting they can make a single bet the size of the Unfold pot if they think the hand they folded would have been strong on this flop.

The regular hand plays out and is awarded to the usual winner, with the Unfold side pot being awarded afterwards. If the regular hand is won before the river, the board will run out for the Unfold pot.

The Unfold antes will be refunded to everyone at the table if the main pot is won preflop, less than two players fold preflop or no players choose to play the Unfold pot.

Unfold

A permanent feature

“This has never been done before,” said Severin Rasset, Director of Poker Innovation and Operations. “Unfold means more action and opportunities for players, reducing the all too familiar sinking feeling of making the correct pre-flop lay down, only to then find you would have flopped the nuts. We’re very excited to offer something new and completely different.”

Obviously this format is aimed at recreational players to keep them entertained between hands. There will be some interesting strategy adjustments, in particular if the players still in the main pot see a lot of action in the Unfold pot, they can assume that it is less likely their opponent has hit a big hand.

Games from $0.01/$0.02 up to $1/$2 are now available. Unlike the previous experimental formats, Unfold is expected to be a permanent addition to the PokerStars game offering.

Do you like the look for this format? Let us know in the comments: