'Sitting out' in poker is when a player is taking a break from the action temporarily but is continuing to hold on to their seat at the table.
In a cash game players will not pay any blinds while they are sitting out whereas in a poker tournament the blinds will continue to be deducted for players who are sitting out. In this guide we’ll learn the following:
What does it mean to ‘sit out’ in a poker cash game?
When should we sit out in poker?
How long can we sit out for in poker?
What should we do if our opponents are sitting out in poker?
Is it ok to sit out in a poker tournament?
Is it ok to sit out in a poker cash game?
What Does It Mean To Sit Out In A Poker Cash Game?
Sitting out simply means we are taking a break from a poker game but we are continuing to reserve our seat. We won’t be dealt in to any of the blinds but we will be required to post the blinds when we return if an orbit has been completed while we were away. Players may prefer to wait until they will be dealt into the big blind position before returning from sitting out. There is usually a time limit on ‘sitting out’ at which point our seat will no longer be reserved.
When Should We Sit Out In Poker?
We can sit out from a poker cash game at any time when we need a short break (5 minutes or so). If we require a longer break it will usually make sense to leave the table and rejoin when we are ready to restart the action. We should usually avoid sitting out of a poker tournament unless absolutely necessary because it could hinder our chances of achieving a good result. Poker tournaments will have scheduled breaks where the action on all tables is paused for a period of time.
How Long Can We Sit Out For In Poker?
In a poker cash games the amount of time we can sit out for will depend on the room, but it’s usually not more than 15 minutes. Sitting out is usually for short breaks only. For longer breaks we should leave the table and rejoin the action when ready. In tournaments we can sit out for as long as we desire provided we still have a stack. However, unlike in cash games, blinds will continue to be taken from our stack in poker tournaments. If we sit out for too long, we’ll have no stack when we return!
What Should We Do If Our Opponents Are Sitting Out In Poker?
In a cash game, players sitting out essentially means the action has become more short-handed. Strategically this requires us to loosen up our starting hand requirements. In tournaments, the blinds are still posted by players who are sitting out. This means that we should be aware of opportunities to pick up extra blinds. For example, if a player who is sitting out posts the big blind behind us, we should be looking to open raise wider than usual since we know that the big blind will always fold preflop.
Is It OK To Sit Out In A Poker Tournament?
We should avoid sitting out in poker tournaments where possible since the blinds and antes will continue to be deducted from our stack even when we are not at the table. As much as possible we should try to take our breaks during the designated tournament break so that we get as much table time as possible. Of course, we may sometimes have a genuine reason for sitting out, in which case we should try and return to the action as soon as possible.
Is It Ok To Sit Out In A Poker Cash Game?
There is no negative consequence associated with sitting out in a cash game. The only thing to keep in mind is that it’s best to sit out right before posting the big blind. If we sit out mid orbit we’ll be missing out on hands that we could have played for ‘free’ since we have already paid the big blind that orbit. If we rejoin the table in a new orbit we’ll be required to post the blinds again in order to rejoin the action. The best option is therefore to sit out right before posting the big blind, and rejoin the action directly in the big blind position.
Summary
Sitting out while on a poker table simply means we are taking a temporary break from the action but intend on returning. Whether or not we continue to pay the blinds while sitting out will depend on whether we are playing a cash game or a tournament.
Sitting out is designed for short breaks. If we require a longer break we should generally think about leaving the table and rejoining the action when we are ready.
Sitting out in poker tournaments should generally be avoided since it eats into our chances of securing the best possible result.
