Hey everybody, I'm a beginner (but not a total noob who does Q x p) and I have a question for you all.

Are 5 minute and 10 minute games really useful from a beginner's perspective?

I seem to play really crap moves in these games. I don't lose on time often but it is a blunder-fest. Should I stop playing fast games? The problem is, I am too scatter-brained to sit down and focus. What should I do to get over this problem?

i find the only thing there good for is getting used to losing. LOL , you get to play lot of openings and see what happens in the middle or end  games "if you make it that far" but there just for fun and should not be taken seriously

For a beginner. I would stay away from them for the most part. I would only use them to get use to what type of middlegames you will get out of the openings you are studying.

Take a new opening you are working on, and go play a bunch of 2-5 minute games to see alot of diffrent looks on middle games for that opening.

If you're trying to improve, playing both slow games and fast games is essential. Too many people get stuck in the trap of playing one or the other, but it's the mix that helps the most with improvement.

I'd say it's worthwhile only so long as you are reducing your number of obvious blunders per game through the play of these games. If you're not benefiting, then you may want to consider another format.

The only reason I have started playing more 5 minute games is becuase it is easy to fit in on my luch break. :)

But, I see your point in not focussing entirely on one format. How do you think I should prepare for fast games? Learn theory upto move #5?

Stay away from quick games.  The ten minute games aren't too bad but anything less can hurt your chess game.  I got hooked on 1 minute games for a while.  My chess rating dropped well over 100 points.  It is fun chess but I think it hurts your overall game. 

Blitz games are great for speeding up your thought process, but I would only recommend them if you have lots of time trouble in longer games.

It also depends on what your aspirations are.  I find blitz more fun, but yes, it's a lot less accurate.

I want to play quality chess and worry about time later. One of my problems is the ability to sit down for an hour and play good chess. I seem to lose focus and play bad chess but I'm rarely in time time trouble.I think being a bit scatter-brained has a lot to do with it. :)

5...10...and 15 minute games are great practice for thinking on your feet.  It helps with quickly seeing patterns, opening moves, traps, etc.