Have you ever wondered about the best time to play online real-money poker or at a casino? In many cases, working out the optimal time to play can seem a little difficult, especially since many different factors are at play. Nevertheless, there are certain things you may want to keep in mind as part of this decision, and we’ve outlined the main things you need to know as follows to help.
The importance of timing in playing poker
When playing real money poker, timing can actually have a surprisingly significant impact. It can influence the skill level of the players you’re against and may also have a role in people’s decision-making. Also, remember that time zones will have an impact, so it’s important to research which countries bring the most players to your favorite real money poker site.
Factors affecting the best time to play poker
While many people assume that poker is solely a game of chance, there is some room for tactics. Indeed, choosing the right time of day can significantly impact your competition.
Time of day
One of the first things to consider in terms of timing is the time of day. Data suggests that most recreational players – who are more likely to be amateurs – will come online between 4 pm and 12 am, coinciding with time after work. As such, playing in the mornings may be riskier.
Day of the week
It’s been proven over time that websites for real money poker are more popular on Friday and Saturday nights, whereas Sunday can be something of a “free for all,” with player numbers typically remaining high for most of the day.
Holidays and special events
During holidays and special events, more people have time off work – and so, fittingly, it’s also unsurprising that a higher number of amateur recreational players will be online at this time of day.
Reasons why certain times are more favorable to play poker
There are several reasons why certain times may be better suited for playing. Some of the key factors influencing this include:
- Higher numbers of recreational players who are less likely to be playing seriously
- Lower-skill players make it easier to win a game of poker than when playing against pros
- Greater traffic volumes allow for more games against a larger pool of amateurs
- Softer competition increases the chances of poker players getting good results
Final thoughts
There’s no set best time to play online poker or at a casino. However, there tend to be more players around during the evenings, especially at night – while many of these players are likely to be amateurs. Nevertheless, monitoring your games throughout the week is potentially a good idea to see if a certain time works best for you, too. After all, this isn’t set in stone.
And, in the end, your results will still depend on your own skill and strategies – and a degree of luck. Even with a great plan in place, it’s still possible to get a weak hand that’s going to go nowhere.
