A technique is provided for facilitating peeking and reading of messages from multiple adapters connected, for example, to a high speed switch in a distributed computing environment. The technique employs a first, relatively quick filter to initially test whether a previously used adapter of the multiple adapters should be used to peek or read a new message. If the first filter fails to select the previously used adapter, then the technique includes employing a second, more complicated filter to determine which adapter of the multiple adapters should be used to peek or read the next message. The first filter includes a first set of tests, and the second filter includes a second set of tests.