Optimal session length for a cash game player to play his "A" game?

[Luvart]

What is the absolute optimal duration of a session for a cash game player in order to maintain his "A" game all the time?

I always want to sit down and grind as much as possible, but for the 99% of the times, after 2 to 2.5 hours of grinding I'm starting to lose my focus massively. I've managed to make some 4-hour sessions a couple of times, but really I can't remember a single time I've grinded beyond that space.

 

[gabpoker]

I am going to play as long as the game is good and two I can maintain focus. Are you talking live or online. I can usually play live for about 12 hours. Online I usually play shorter sessions as I usually have less time.

The only thing I do is focus on Poker. Online I may have music on as I don't need to listen to table talk. When not in a hand I try and put my opponents on ranges and note when I am right and when I am surprised by a play. It helps keep me focused on the task at hand.

 

[hugh blair]

Tricky question how long is a piece of string type of question if tired log out if hungry log out make food if start to stink because you are sitting there 24 hours log out run a bath relax when you notice that you are making silly errors or do not have 100 concentration log out all this easier said then done though in heat of the grind good luck.

 

[Gohaku94]

It always depands. Firstly from person to person. Also from day to day and the mood you have when playing. There are days where you can't play your best at all and you are bored of it before even begining to play.
So best way to do it is play as long as you feel good and feel lime grinding. If not just take as long as a break you need.

 

[IcyNicy]

Actually you've just answered your own question yourself. For everyone the time would be different. And as you said for you it's 2 -2.5 hours. Basically I recommend to play till you feel well. Don't torment yourself if you don't feel like playing. That's it.

 

[pokijh]

Earlier when I was a frequent consumer of amphetamine I could play for 16 hours without breaks. Nowadays, my profits start dropping after 5-6 hours. Eliminate all distractions while playing, dont have a movie in the background etc.

 

[XYZ2123]

In general its difficult for anyone to fully concentrate and actively focus on a task for more than 4 hours. Even doing it for this long requires training, discipline and practice, and assumes that you're getting enough sleep, eating properly and minimizing other stresses and distractions. This is a best case scenario, especially if multi-tabling. This is part of what makes tournaments so difficult (at least for me).


For cash games, play as long as you feel like you're fully involved in the session, but take a break if you start feeling tired or unfocused. You don't want fatigue to lead to tilt and punting off buy-ins for no reason.


I try to play 2 sessions a day (3-4 hours each) with a meal/rest break (about 2 hours) in between. Anything longer than this tires me out.

 

[Luvart]

Tricky question how long is a piece of string type of question if tired log out if hungry log out make food if start to stink because you are sitting there 24 hours log out run a bath relax when you notice that you are making silly errors or do not have 100 concentration log out all this easier said then done though in heat of the grind good luck.

Good points.

Yes, sometimes I take a shower and I feel quite rejuvenated. It's a good "hack".

 

[Luvart]

It always depands. Firstly from person to person. Also from day to day and the mood you have when playing. There are days where you can't play your best at all and you are bored of it before even begining to play.

Yes, true. There are times that I feel quite bored even before I have to start a specific session. Many times this happens for me when I've finished a regular cash game session and then I have to play, lets say, a night freeroll after about 4 or 5 hours.

 

[ricardibreezer]

Good question.

I don't usually play more than 250 hands.

I've noticed a trend of:

1. losing hard early, often inside 20 hands.

2. Staying very even over hands 175-250 (finish).

My take on it is this: i bring too much energy early in my games. My mind's too enthusiastic, i want to make fancy plays, set down an aggressive marker, show i can't be bluffed etc. By the end of my sessions that energy to put much thought into each hand dies, i play too honest, folding my trash and being obvious value betting stronger holdings.

 

[CallmeFloppy]

That is totally up to you. I have different tolerances depending on if I am playing live or online and the number of tables I am playing online. I tend to notice when I am starting to play less than my best. This my be from fatigue or from occurrences at the table.

Take some time to do a self check every half hour and try to give yourself an honest evaluation of yourself.

 

[eberetta1]

This is like asking what is the ideal distance to run or the ideal amount of sleep. There is no correct answer. the answer is what is correct for you. So some run a mile some run wind sprints and some walk.

If you find yourself making bad decisions or yawning or reaching for the wallet too many times, those are indications to wrap it up for this session.

 

[Luvart]

Take some time to do a self check every half hour and try to give yourself an honest evaluation of yourself.

Good point.

I'll try to implement it during my session. I'll start, firstly, by checking my performance every half hour and then I will extend it to every one hour and see what happens.

 

[wacosteel]

Is this live or online?

Most good players I know of are able to stay focused for at least twice that long, except under unusual circumstances.

 

[PKRNRS]

You lose focus after 2-2.5 hours??? At least tell us you're doing multiple tables. I played 12 hours the first time I ever sat down at a live table. But that's only one game. Honestly I have never pulled hours on end online. That's the beautiful thing if online poker. Get in and out.

 

[BnaD]

Before I start a session I eat a big meal, caffeinate myself, use the restroom and make sure I have plenty of water around. This will usually get me through 4-5 hours of me playing my A game. If I start to lose focus I take a break and repeat the steps if necessary. If I can't get the focus back I'm done for the day. The second you feel you are forcing it you should stop playing. I'm sure the mental stamina varies between players.

 

[PHX]

15-20 mins
I have a short attention span
That's why I like zoom

 

[Honest]

This obviously is determined by the type of game you choose to play.

I would recommend taking a break every 45 minutes if you are playing cash games or SNG which allow for it.

 

[elflake]

For me, and I think it holds up for human physiology in general, getting some exercise, moving around is crucial. Just taking 5 minutes to go outside and walk around, get the blood flowing, has great benefits. Some times I just stand up and do some yoga/balancing poses in between hands, or just stretch.

 

[braveslice]

I'm quite sure the time limit for teacher for optimal length for optimal learning thus optimal concentration is 20 minutes. That leads directly that hero can play A game around 20 minutes. There should be warmup period though, maybe 5 minutes?, so the max one can maintain A game is around 20-5 minutes.

People who say they can play A game multiple hours, do not really play A game at any point is my opinion. Sorry about that. Also in my opinion most play is not in A game range and that is how it should be (except when you try to jump level). Also it's only opinion with no meaning so there should really be no reason to be too much upset.

 

[agriggy]

I a the same, but everyone is different. Some players can do it for 24 hours.

 

[alexgrin]

I will say that time depends - mainly on your well-being but also on the players at the table - I'm talking about live poker. In any case, play as long as you enjoy and you do not make mistakes.

 

[cskwin]

As long as you can hold the calm and not getting bad beats you can go on. I can say 4-5hours and take a break to come back will refresh your energy while playing online.

 

[phantomjiujitsu]

I am going to play as long as the game is good and two I can maintain focus. Are you talking live or online. I can usually play live for about 12 hours. Online I usually play shorter sessions as I usually have less time.

The only thing I do is focus on Poker. Online I may have music on as I don't need to listen to table talk. When not in a hand I try and put my opponents on ranges and note when I am right and when I am surprised by a play. It helps keep me focused on the task at hand.

This is great advice. I'm going to try and put opponents on hands while I'm out of the hand from now on.

 

[danielcai]

Thanks for the great advice. I have always been frustrated by winning at first in cash game and lose them all after a while.

It is good to know timing yourself in the game is a way to profit.