Finding the time to play

[Pokerpoet2]

I used to play randomly, as I was often driving a cab in the Evenings, Poker was something I played during the day, but after I quit for a job with the Royal Mail I found I could play most evenings as I didn't Drive so much.
The biggest event that changed my Life completely was when I suffered a Heart Attack and after a Bye-pass operation I had plenty of time on my hands and then Covid struck and I was House bound Where the only thing I had was Poker!
Unfortunate as the saying goes "too much of a good thing, is bad for you" I lost interest in the game to a point where I hardly play at all now, maybe once every couple of months, but nowhere near the Volume I used to play.

 

[Pityesz1974]

I have time because I'm single, but I don't feel like playing poker much lately.

 

[Alex Sentsov]

I'm trying to find time, but it's not working)

 

[Like2Play2]

When I started playing poker, I was over 50. But my daughter and her husband quit playing after having their 2nd child.
In the world we live today, with all after school sports and music and dancing lessons, etc... they are so busy, they have no time for poker.
I have no idea how someone can find the time to play poker with young children.

 

[CataRouillet]

I generally try to make time on the weekends. But I don't have children and my boyfriend also plays poker. So that's why I don't usually have problems. hahah

 

[odonob]

Difficult to balance, no doubt. I met up with friends for drinks tonight and played a tournament in the pub. One of them was quite annoyed. I don’t blame them. I finished runner up with $40 cash for second place (bad beat on the river for 1st). The win did cover the 🍷 however!

 

[mr.fers_one]

I have a child) I try to play when I have a day off and a child from kindergarten)) well, or in the evening when he goes to bed))

 

[888NOX888]

Unfortunately, the most difficult choice is always the choice between your hobby and your family. It is very difficult to give preference to something and there is not enough time all the time. First of all, I devote time to my family, and I play poker in my free time, or I can plan my time so that I devote 1-3 evenings to poker, but so that no one distracts from the game.

 

[Stringy]

this how I know I'm not ready because I'll probably stop when I have kids. or just play when they are out and about

 

[dzsire]

The title is perfect, this is exactly my biggest problem: finding time to play. There are so many things that a person has to deal with that it is difficult to find time to play.
I don't even know how anyone raising their child(ren) is able to spare time for it, I mean, to participate in tournaments lasting several hours...

 

[Matt_Burns88]

Life is all about balance and compromise.

I totally disagree with those comments where people have said you should just give up poker. If you play a sport at the weekend, nobody would be saying you've got a baby now, so no sport for you!

First piece of advice is to talk it through with your wife/partner. Explain how you feel about your guilt and how it's affecting your game.

Second piece of advice is set out a plan and try to stick to it as much as possible. There is (in my experience) little point in planning to play 5 nights a week because you're going to have the same issues. When my daughter was younger, we made the plan that I would play poker 2 nights a week with the occasional live tournament, maybe once every 2-3 months. I was essentially "working" and would be off grid all night and her mum would take care of her by herself. The flip side of that is that we agreed her mum would get 2 nights off a week as well where I would look after our daughter. I think this is a really important part of the compromise.

Third piece of advice is that if you want to change your schedule for whatever reason, give as much notice as possible, nothing like catching your wife by surprise to piss her off!

Last bit of advice is that you may have to change the games you play to fit better with your new life. Switching to SnG's certainly makes a lot of sense at least for the first year or so when baby needs a lot of attention as you can play shorter sessions and your wife may need that extra support.

Good luck working it out.

 

[fundiver199]

Last bit of advice is that you may have to change the games you play to fit better with your new life. Switching to SnG's certainly makes a lot of sense at least for the first year or so when baby needs a lot of attention as you can play shorter sessions and your wife may need that extra support.

Or even better cash games, where you can sit out almost instantly if needed.

 

[Peteski84]

For me it's the fact that I have pretty much nothing else going on in life.

 

[pavel1111111]

I Dont have kids yet, but still îs very difficul to play poker, because of my work... Îs more and more work for me lately 😂 when the kids will come i think îs over for me with the game of poker 😅😂

 

[martinoni]

My work at home office sometimes helps me with the time I play... sometimes hehehe

 

[Iryna Stryzheuskaya]

You can play something other than MTT. Those types of poker where you don’t need a lot of time.

 

[userX]

I also have a problem with free time, but it's much easier for me than for you because I don't have children. Nevertheless, sometimes my wife behaves like a small child and often doesn't let me play in peace either. It is very difficult to find time to play and I have the impression that the older I get the less free time I have.

 

[Claudiunm]

Before my kids were here poker was my entire life I played every minute of my waking day. These days I’m lucky if I get an hour to myself to play, I usually just play sit and go as it’s over quickly. Almost every tournament I start I end up having to abandon it and just go all in as the baby is needing me for something or other. How do other members find the right balance? I feel guilty every time I go to play live and usually end up playing reckless to get home quicker which is obviously stupid and a waste of money. I know it’s a case of priorities at the moment but I’m really missing poker.

My friend, I identify with you a lot. The only difference is that I started Poker right in the middle of the whirlwind of fatherhood. I have two children, aged 6 and 5 respectively. They drive me crazy all the time and I think they're delicious. Be a father because this phase passes and we often don't even notice. Enjoy every moment with your children. The time for Poker will return but this phase will pass and will never come back. Focus on the fastest tournaments. Try to establish rules such as one day a week to dedicate to Poker for about 3 hours. Talk to your spouse to arrange these occasions. Call someone in the family for support. You will be able to reconcile it over time. Just don't forget to be with your children.

 

[ChubbySin]

What about teaching poker to kid ? I'm half joking

I'm half teaching... With beans 🫘...

 

[hardongear]

As they get older it's gets easier to find some time to play. As others have said set sometime aside each week on a certain day or days at certain time of day. Also switch to playing cash tables can make it easier as you can sit-out and come and go as needed. While cash tables may not be ideal cause like me you likely enjoy MTT's/SNG's or then cash tables. Cash tables will still scratch the itch and 2nl and 5nl full-ring aren't that tough even in 2024.

Fwiw I'm also a hobby/rec player that struggles to find the time to play as much as he'd like.

Cheers!!!

 

[Rost]

Before my kids were here poker was my entire life I played every minute of my waking day. These days I’m lucky if I get an hour to myself to play, I usually just play sit and go as it’s over quickly. Almost every tournament I start I end up having to abandon it and just go all in as the baby is needing me for something or other. How do other members find the right balance? I feel guilty every time I go to play live and usually end up playing reckless to get home quicker which is obviously stupid and a waste of money. I know it’s a case of priorities at the moment but I’m really missing poker.

I am not married and have no children. I play poker in the evenings after work, but only when I'm in a good mood. For me, poker is just entertainment. But I know for sure that if I had a wife and children, I would definitely always put them first. I think if I were married and had children, I wouldn't have time for poker and I don't think it would upset me much.

 

[istbno]

Finding the time to play poker requires balancing your life commitments with your passion for the game. Prioritize poker like any other important activity by setting aside specific hours in your schedule, but don’t sacrifice work, family, or health. Use spare moments for short sessions.

 

[Lena M]

Before my kids were here poker was my entire life I played every minute of my waking day. These days I’m lucky if I get an hour to myself to play, I usually just play sit and go as it’s over quickly. Almost every tournament I start I end up having to abandon it and just go all in as the baby is needing me for something or other. How do other members find the right balance? I feel guilty every time I go to play live and usually end up playing reckless to get home quicker which is obviously stupid and a waste of money. I know it’s a case of priorities at the moment but I’m really missing poker.

Play when you can and just play freerolls. You shouldn't play in buy-in tournaments if you might have to get up and leave at any time. I understand that you miss poker, but your family is the most valuable thing you can have in your life, so value your family.

 

[Munchies11]

the bigger problem is trying to align schedules with everyone else. Also the fact organizing a game is quite the challenge !

 

[Ruslan L]

I got divorced and now I play poker whenever I want and as much as I want. But to be honest, it wasn't my best idea, now no one cooks for me, no one goes to the store, and in general, everything looks pretty sad. So don't do what I did