Poker is a versatile game; it can be played in a social setting at home, online, or professionally at an international tournament.
This also means that there isn’t a single answer to the question “How long should my poker session be?”. It all depends on the game format. If you’re playing online, you need to make sure you don’t play so long that you lose focus. Home games with friends should range between 3 to 4 hours. Cash games and tournaments can last entire days.
Here is a guide to how long different poker variations should last so you can have a sound idea of what to expect.
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How Long Should Online Poker Sessions Last?
You can play poker online from the comfort of your home. There are many reputable poker and casino platforms on the internet, allowing amateurs and professionals to take on opponents in live dealer games or video poker.
It is easy to lose sight of the time passing when you play online poker since you are likely extremely comfortable and you have access to refreshments in your kitchen. Online tournaments can stretch hours into the night, even when the game started early in the day.
The best way to manage your time when playing online is to create a schedule and stick to it. You can use your phone to set an alarm (put your phone in a different room to make sure you get up) and end your poker session when the alarm goes off. Only you will know what your limits are, but remember, you shouldn’t register for a tournament if it starts close to your cut-off time.
Online cash games should be limited to around 4 to 6 hours to ensure you don’t lose focus. If you’re a professional player who makes a living from poker, try to break up your day into two four-hour sessions.
Beginners should try to limit their games to 1 to 2 hours so they don’t become too fatigued and start making mistakes.
How Long Should Home Games Be?
When you’re planning a home game with friends, you need to set a time limit before you get started. Many of your friends will have other responsibilities or partners to get home to. When you’re inviting players, ask them what their ideal duration would be and make sure everyone agrees on how long the game will last.
Home games are best played on a weekend when you have a couple of hours to commit. It is best to start the game earlier in the day, on a Saturday or Sunday, so that players can finish at a reasonable time.
Although most home games are shorter, a good guideline is to cap the event at 8 hours. Recreational games take longer than online games since there is a social element involved, including banter and snacks. You can also organize the game format so that players can come and go at will, with each tournament lasting about 2 hours.
How Long Should Live Cash Games Last?
Live cash games are for more serious players who head to casinos or card rooms to play. Live poker games have a slower pace, and there are rumours of players like Tom Dwan playing for 40 hours.
Not everyone has this stamina, though, so try to limit your games to a maximum of 6 hours. This will allow you to play a couple of hands, but you won’t find yourself staying in the game when you’re losing.
You should also regularly check in with yourself. If you are tired or frustrated, it is best to walk away. There will always be more cash games to play when you’re feeling fresher.
How Long Will A Poker Tournament Take?
Live poker tournaments are truly exhausting. They can stretch across several days, requiring mental stamina and endurance.
Although most poker tournaments are done within a single day, you still have to be prepared for sitting at the table for upwards of 6 hours at a time.
The major poker events, like the World Poker Tour (WPT) or World Series of Poker (WSOP), can take multiple days, with each day sometimes lasting up to 14 hours. You need to be truly passionate about poker if you are willing to endure these lengthy sessions, as you need to remain highly focused throughout.
