Do you take a vacation from poker?

In this final stretch of the year do you usually take a vacation and stop playing, or do you continue normally?

i usually play normally, if i need some time off from poker grind i just do it anytime time in the year.

Ooo yes... I do that. And I need it. Sometimes it’s all too much and I need a week or two to recharge my energy.

I have been going downhill as far as my poker career has been going. I am fortunate to get 2 games of poker a week in as the concentration is no longer there. Driving is the same way, can't drive as far as I used to.

I think only those who take the game more seriously, like professionals, take vacations. In my case, as a recreational poker player, there's no such thing as a vacation from poker.

you have to do it, everybody needs a break

I play almost every day, for over 20 years now. At Initially, I played obsessively. These days, I've followed a steady, well-organized poker routine for quite a while, only interrupting it when unexpected events or work come up.

Even when the cards are away, the mindset stays. Every break is just a reset sharpening focus, recharging discipline, and coming back smarter. Poker doesn’t stop… it just waits for the next hand.

By the way, what even is a vacation? 🤣

I don't come to a full halt, but I usually slow my pace during this last part of the year.

I'm currently taking a short break from poker, so far in 2025 as I've played the fewest hands (https://www.casino.us/poker/strategy/poker-hands/) and MTTs in 2025) that I've played in 20+ years. Hopefully Christmas and 2026 will get me playing much more. Lately, in the little I have played over the past couple months I've mostly been doing 6 max cash. I usually only play full-ring.

Cheers!!!

some times i play less or don't play at all mainly depends on how busy i am though

I take the week off before Christmas and don’t return until after the New Year.

I only pause poker for a few hours from December 31 to January 1, as I celebrate New Year's Eve. For the remainder of the year, I consistently play poker tournaments. However, I vowed to take a two-week break from poker and fly to Amsterdam when the war in Ukraine ends—if I survive, naturally. 😗

I didn't mean to.

everything hinges on what you “earn”! 😎 If the gains taste better than morning coffee, I keep playing. But when losses begin to kill the vibe, I step away and pause poker until luck comes back. Everything rests on what you “earn” yourself!

I'm not really going to take vacations, as long as I have time, I'll continue to play normally.

No, this month (December) the poker sites (https://www.casino.us/poker/) run many giveaways; maybe I'll take a break in January.

I continue to play as usual. Unfortunately, I rarely play on weekdays, so the main time I can devote to the game is either on weekends or holidays or during vacations.

I go on vacation to play poker

I typically play for just a day or two to celebrate, then I return to the tables.

Lately I've been spending more time resting than I have playing poker.

You must do it since you aren’t able to focus.

I usually keep playing normally, but I always take a break during the Christmas period.

That time is for family, disconnecting from poker, clearing my head, and fully recharging before getting back to the grind.

I don't usually stop playing poker, mainly because I play for fun and I'm not a professional. A break is for disconnecting from work or work-related activities, which doesn't apply to me since I play to have fun and win money.

I usually play 1 hour per day .This being so , nothing will change this month,

Time to take a vacation or break when:

You keep playing longer to “get even”

Marginal situations seem draining rather than engaging

You’re pursuing action instead of EV

Wins don’t bring satisfaction and losses feel personal

In this final stretch of the year do you usually take a vacation and stop playing, or do you continue normally?

I don't necessarily take a break around Christmas time, but I do take 2 - 4 weeks off from time to time. I do not play online while on vacation.

I will poker for exactly 1 month starting from new year if possible and work on myself mentally and physically like good sleep diet and gym

I don't play often enough to justify a vacation. If I played regularly, I would.

Actually, I don't have a set day for it; whenever I feel I should take a break, I do it, regardless of the time of year. But I've been playing a lot whenever I can, and I don't plan on taking any breaks for now.

Traduzir

I'm a pensioner, so I'm essentially on holiday for the rest of my life. How are my holidays going? Without poker, they're dull. That's why I play poker — it helps me forget the negatives and brings a bit of positive feeling.

Whenever possible...

In this final stretch of the year do you usually take a vacation and stop playing, or do you continue normally?

i usually play normally, if i need some time off from poker grind i just do it anytime time in the year.

I set goals for the year.

In my case, since I’m a tournament player, I want to play between 5,000 and 6,000 games in 2026.

I don't go on vacations; I play poker nearly every day. Occasionally I'm tied up and might skip a day, and all my online friends also play almost daily. For people who enjoy poker it's normal to discuss it every day, to comment on hands (https://www.casino.us/poker/strategy/poker-hands/), or on a prize won — we always celebrate when someone takes a substantial payout in a tournament.

I've been playing poker for a year and a half. So I still don't know what a vacation means. I'm still on an intense hunt for solid results and actual profit.

No vacation planned so far. Even though I understand it's important.

I Need a vacation

Just by accident.

I'm not a professional player and I only play when I really want to play, so, I usually don't take any vacation from poker. But I would say if you're a professional, it's important to take a break from poker at least one time per year.

I’d say it’s time to PLAY now! 😎✌️

Rather than playing frequently or for long stretches, I choose to be selective about when and how I play. That lets me do other things while keeping poker in my life.

Poker remains a valuable, educational hobby for me, but I find it helpful to step away from intense sessions sometimes. That doesn’t mean abandoning the game entirely—I just study poker more and play less.

I try to adopt a more balanced attitude toward the game. Doing so helps me enjoy poker without unnecessary stress and keeps my motivation over the long term.

I am taking a break right now from all the freerolls (https://www.casino.us/poker/best-freerolls/). For the first time in 15 years. I feel like I am more in control of my addition to poker.

But I do play a few games here and there.

Definitely, I haven't played for 20 days now. I'll return at the tables in 2026.

Just if i have to do something alse!

I step away from poker during the summer and seldom play; I fish and take a vacation. The only thing superior to running well is running even better. In poker, taking a break is crucial.

I spend my vacations playing poker — the rest of the year I work only to get by 😞

Yes, I believe it's crucial to pause and savor life.

Time off matters for everything, including dopamine.

Poker is vacation. I take a vacation from work to play poker. Work is hard & poker is vacation.

I always play a little, but there are times when it’s not my main priority, so I end up taking breaks. Usually it’s because of other things I consider more important that take up more time, so the break happens naturally. But I always come back when I find some free time.

Often ,, I rarely play anymore. And sometimes, like today's 888 platinum touney, I sign up and then forget to play. lol

Only a few hours hahaha

I went on a trip to play poker 🙂

However, I don't believe I'll ever require a break from poker — unless it turns into my primary occupation.

I do — without rest it's impossible to play well over the long term.

actually its very healthy to take a break from poker but you have to get there mentally. it was very hard for me to stop

usually when i'm in another country i cant access my poker Apps (https://www.casino.us/poker/mobile/), does that count

Yes, three weeks over the summer. It helps to concentrate on different activities and gives the poker brain a chance to rest.

Everything in life requires pauses. I stepped away from poker for 3 months and returned this week.

Sometimes you must stop playing poker cuz I don’t think you can win more and need time to resT a bit

I usually take 2 vacations. One in June and another one September

I generally step away whenever I shove everything and end up losing all my chips. 😭

No, not ever

I do exactly the opposite. I take vacations to play more poker 😆

I personally avoid going out during the December holiday season because it’s too crowded; I prefer to go out only twice a year in the off-season. In Mexico, I suggest Puerto Vallarta and Cancún — both have truly beautiful beaches.

I certainly do. I enjoy poker, but if I play excessively without a break, my concentration and decision-making begin to deteriorate. Even a week or two away can have a significant benefit. When I return, I feel restored, more patient, and less prone to manufacture situations that don't exist. Ironically, some of my strongest sessions have occurred immediately after a break from poker. The game will always be available, so I don't mind taking time off occasionally.

Yes i take a vacation from poker in summer time . In vacation im fishing and go to nature . Good luck at the poker tables .

I generally keep playing, though I’ve reduced my hours somewhat to spend more time with family. A brief pause can help mentally, but I don’t enjoy staying away from the tables for long because I feel a little rusty when I return.

Hoping to enjoy some free time over summer vacation that I won't be spending on freerolls (https://www.casino.us/poker/best-freerolls/), let's see. It's fun, but enough is enough!

Good morning, everyone.

I started playing poker in 2018, and since then, the longest I've ever gone without playing was about 4 or 5 days. I've never been very disciplined with my bankroll (https://www.casino.us/poker/strategy/poker-bankroll-management/) management. Whenever I won $200, $400, or even $800—which is still my biggest cash to this day—I made the wrong decision of cashing out the money and spending it. I would only come back to play after I had spent everything. Since the money usually lasted only 4 or 5 days, I was back at the tables pretty quickly.

However, I've never taken a break from poker or gone on vacation by choice. I truly love playing this game.

Before I started playing poker, I used to sell grilled cheese on the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. At first, I made good money, earning the equivalent of about $140 in a single day at today's exchange rate. Over time, though, the price of cheese kept increasing, and more and more people started selling it as well. By 2018, my profits had dropped significantly. To give you an idea, a kilogram of cheese cost around $2 back then, while today it costs about $10.

That's when I started looking for ways to make money online, and I discovered poker. Today, I earn more playing poker than I ever did selling cheese. To put it into perspective, my best day selling cheese earned me about $140. My best day in poker earned me $800. In that tournament, I finished in 96th place. If I had finished 1st, the prize would have been $60,000.

The biggest difference is that, although poker is an extremely difficult game, it gives you the chance to have an incredible day and win a life-changing amount of money—something that is almost impossible in a regular job. That's one of the things I love most about poker.

I'm a recreational poker player; I play purely for enjoyment. I take long and frequent breaks from poker, which I find very refreshing. When I return, my interest in the game is renewed and I still play just for fun. I believe everyone should develop interests beyond poker. There are so many fascinating topics you know nothing about.

Yes, it definitely must be done

I take a break from poker whenever I start feeling worn out; if I notice I'm playing the game with boredom, I step away for a vacation.

Yeah, I reckon it's healthy to step away from the game sometimes. Even when I'm having fun, taking a few days or a week or two off helps me dodge burnout and return with a clearer head. I often notice I perform better after a short break because I'm sharper and less prone to forcing plays. Poker will still be there, so there's no downside to recharging now and then.

In this final stretch of the year do you usually take a vacation and stop playing, or do you continue normally?

I dont really ever take a complete break from poker, but thats mostly because I keep my volume pretty low. These days I mainly play freerolls and maybe a handful of Spin and Gos each day. Its enough to stay involved with the game without feeling like it turns into a grind or starts draining me mentally. Since Im not putting in huge sessions or chasing volume, I have never really felt the need to disappear from poker for weeks or months.

I think its a different story if you are playing seriously with a big bankroll, constantly battling through long MTT sessions or grinding cash games day after day. Thats a completely different level of mental and emotional investment. When you're putting in that much volume, variance can really test you. Even if you are playing well, you can go through long stretches where nothing seems to go your way and that can slowly wear you down.

If I were in that position, I would definitely make a point of taking proper breaks every now and then. Stepping away for a while isnt giving up, its probably one of the healthiest things you can do. A short break can help you reset mentally, clear away the frustration and come back with a fresh perspective instead of forcing yourself to keep grinding while tilted or emotionally exhausted.

Poker is as much a mental game as it is a technical one. Looking after your mindset is just as important as studying strategy and sometimes the best decision you can make is simply to take a step back, recharge and return when you are feeling sharp again.

In this final stretch of the year do you usually take a vacation and stop playing, or do you continue normally?

Sometimes, taking a break for a few days is the only remaining solution to reset my mood and return to a normal state.

Generally, I play whenever the opportunity arises.

In this final stretch of the year do you usually take a vacation and stop playing, or do you continue normally?

I keep playing. And during vacations I usually play even more. I take breaks, but my breaks don't last more than a few days.

You know that sensation after playing poker nonstop and then stepping away for a few days. You relax, have a wonderful break, and afterwards return to playing poker.

I’m carrying on as usual; I don’t tend to play that many hours a week—I think that’s the reason I don’t stay away from poker for long.

I’ve scaled back, competing in only a handful of tournaments on the occasional day.

In this final stretch of the year do you usually take a vacation and stop playing, or do you continue normally?

yes i take break every month (when im broke again) 🤣🤣🤣

Yes, you need to take vacations as well

Right now I'm stopping playing, I plan to stop playing for about 3/4 months, I need to study to pass an important exam, but I still like to watch videos about poker, although to avoid relapsing into poker I took out all the money I had in all my accounts and when I come back I plan to start from scratch only with cardschat tournaments, I'm interested in the community

Continuo com menos intensidade, participando de poucos torneios em dias mais distanciados.

Legal, eu também faço isso

I only take breaks when I need to prioritize other activities, but I wouldn't call them vacations; I could also simply reduce the hours I play.

Deciding when to take a break relies heavily on self-awareness regarding the present moment; I’ve even taken a one-year hiatus from online poker (https://www.casino.us/poker/) using the one-year self-exclusion option. The worst part is that I couldn't reactivate my accounts on some sites.🤣 I opted for an indefinite break—where the minimum period is one year—but I was unable to reactivate my accounts on certain platforms, such as GGPoker and 888.

I generally keep playing, though I pause briefly when necessary. Maintaining a steady routine suits me more than stepping away for an extended period, particularly when I'm concentrated and performing well.

No, I have never removed it.

Yes. Taking a break from poker is just as important as playing. A short vacation helps reset your mindset, reduce burnout, and come back with better focus and decision-making. Sometimes the best move for your long-term results is simply stepping away from the tables for a while.

I do in summer, such a nive period of the year, need to go outside.

I usually wouldn't completely stop playing, but I definitely slow down if I have other things going on. There's no point forcing poker into every free hour just because it's the end of the year.

If I'm enjoying the games and feeling fresh, I'll play normally. If I'm tired or distracted, I'd rather take a few days off and come back wanting to play again. Sometimes a little break does more for your game than another 10-hour session,Vacation is very important for refreshment

I usually continue playing, but I don’t try to force my normal volume during the holidays. I actually think a short break can be useful, especially after a long stretch of grinding. If I’m traveling or spending more time with family, I’ll simply play less or skip a few sessions rather than trying to squeeze poker into every free moment. When I do play, I prefer shorter sessions where I’m fresh and focused instead of sitting at the tables just because I feel I should. A few days away from poker doesn’t hurt my game; sometimes I come back with a much clearer head and more motivation. So for me it’s more about adjusting the schedule than completely stopping or playing through the entire holiday period.

I believe a brief pause is healthy, particularly after an extended period of playing.

I’d prefer to return rejuvenated instead of continuing to grind when motivation and focus have waned. ♠️

Because poker is primarily entertainment for me, I almost never quit a session. Instead, when I have spare time I prefer playing poker to, say, watching a film or a TV show.

Yeah, I think pausing poker for a bit is actually pretty important. I tend to step away for several days when I feel I’ve been playing too much or getting irritated by results. Returning with a clear head is far better than forcing play when you aren’t truly focused. Especially during a downswing, I prefer to take a break

Yes, taking regular breaks from poker is absolutely essential to avoid burnout. When I notice my concentration slipping or variance beginning to affect me, I step away for a few days entirely. Returning with a clear head always boosts my win rate.

Yes, every so often I step away from poker. It lets me recharge mentally, particularly following a losing stretch. When I return, I tend to be more focused and get more enjoyment out of the game.

I generally continue practicing, though I lower the intensity somewhat when I’m mentally worn. For me, a short break of several days beats pushing through sessions just to reach a specific volume target. A clear head matters more than a few extra hours at the tables.

I play all the time

I know I ought to take breaks, but I almost never step away from poker. Even when things are chaotic (which they seem to be these days), I still find time to play.

yes, it is good sometimes.

Nesta reta final do ano, você costuma tirar férias e parar de jogar, ou continua normalmente?

Depending on the tournaments that are available at the end of the year, if there are any interesting ones, I play, if not, I enjoy a week at the end of the year.

Yes, I do take breaks from poker. I think stepping away from the game from time to time helps me stay focused, refreshed, and motivated when I come back to play.