"Playing over" (1 Viewer)

Poker Zombie

Poker Zombie

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In a cash game when a player is gone from the table for a lengthy period of time, a player can request the seat. The absent player's chips are placed under a clear box and the new player "plays over" their chips.

I've seen the concept in casinos, but have never done it. I know it would be very uncommon in a home game as you don't tend to invite more players than you have seats. So my question is, has anyone done this? I've done a quick web search, but could not find actual rules that would apply if/when the player returns, or how long a player must be missing before they allow playing over.

Can anyone enlighten me on this? Either actual casino rules or home-game variations are welcome.
 
I’ve seen this over 10+ years ago in Vegas and maybe recently I’ve seen it too, but they def just cashed them out or took the chips off the table like @TheBigTater alluded to.
 
Poker Zombie said:
In a cash game when a player is gone from the table for a lengthy period of time, a player can request the seat. The absent player's chips are placed under a clear box and the new player "plays over" their chips.

I've seen the concept in casinos, but have never done it. I know it would be very uncommon in a home game as you don't tend to invite more players than you have seats. So my question is, has anyone done this? I've done a quick web search, but could not find actual rules that would apply if/when the player returns, or how long a player must be missing before they allow playing over.

Can anyone enlighten me on this? Either actual casino rules or home-game variations are welcome.
Click to expand...

I played over @onerand at DiD. Well, actually played out of his stack while he was away. Ended up winning about $100 or so in a few hands and he just gave me cash and kept the chips in his stack. I would have paid for any and all losses out of my pocket, obviously.
 
Yeah I never understood the point of the clear box, even in a casino. If you want to allow playing over, then just cash the player out and write down his name, seat, and stack size.
 
Coyote said:
In home games, the "lengthy period of time" is regulated by the question "are you coming back asshole, or not?"
According to the answer, the seat may become available, with the asshole cashing out. :)
Click to expand...
In this particular case, I was wondering because Mrs Zombie will be starting chemotherapy soon. The first game after she starts treatment will be a cash game, and fatigue may be bad enough that she may need to lie down for any amount of time, from just as few minutes to perhaps a couple of hours.

I could cash her out, but if she comes back quickly that would be a pain. If it's an issue she may not even want to return. I certainly do not want to discourage her return, as poker nights are one of the things she really looks forward to.

I see the suspect the need to "play over" is extremely minimal - players rarely switch tables during our cash games. Still, if there is a consistent rule, I would like to know, as opposed to just making up a rule on the spot.

At the very least, asking "are you coming back asshole" to a cancer patient who is also your wife (and a redhead) is probably a VERY bad choice.
 
Poker Zombie said:
In this particular case, I was wondering because Mrs Zombie will be starting chemotherapy soon. The first game after she starts treatment will be a cash game, and fatigue may be bad enough that she may need to lie down for any amount of time, from just as few minutes to perhaps a couple of hours.

I could cash her out, but if she comes back quickly that would be a pain. If it's an issue she may not even want to return. I certainly do not want to discourage her return, as poker nights are one of the things she really looks forward to.

I see the suspect the need to "play over" is extremely minimal - players rarely switch tables during our cash games. Still, if there is a consistent rule, I would like to know, as opposed to just making up a rule on the spot.

At the very least, asking "are you coming back asshole" to a cancer patient who is also your wife (and a redhead) is probably a VERY bad choice.
Click to expand...

You could have a rule that anyone that is "playing over a stack" comes in knowing that it is a temporary seat and if the previous player returns and if no other open seat is available they would have to give it up. As long as you have the rule in place there shouldn't be a problem. But I would still remove the chips from the table and/or cash them out. It is silly to have a "play over box" just in the way when the chips can be accounted for and removed/cashed.

And as said you usually run multiple tables right? How often would there not be an open seat if someone wanted to return. It probably wouldn't happen that often and just having the rule in place should cover things in case of "fiery redheads". :)
 
Weird, I have not seen that in NJ/NY/PA, I see them bag the chips and take them away for the player to redeem later.
It has happened on a rare occasion in a home where the person had to leave quickly and unexpectantly for a family health issue or whatever in which case I counted and rmeoved the chips and payed out at a later date.
 
I was at Foxwoods once and our lunch took too long. They pulled out chips and bagged them. I had recorded the total and the brush returned them to us at the podium. We had to rejoin the back of the list, which was fair in my opinion.
 
Yes, all the time. Usually I'm the one volunteering to stand up so I can go cook or prep the second table or whatever.

I don't leave the chips on the table though. I rack them up, top it with an upside-down rack, and put them aside.
 
I recall playover boxes as a 'thing' about 10 years ago. @courage had some in play at his meet-ups, but I don't remember the particulars. Maybe @bergs can chime in.
 
I have the player throw the chips in a bag and put it by the host table. Frequently have guys who need to run home to let dogs out or someone on Dad duty for an hour or so. Doesn't happen often that there's just a player standing around, but that's my solution to the proposed question.

We used to have a post it where they'd write the total on it and put in the bag, but 10 years of playing with the same cast of degens, we have dropped that process.

Best of luck to @Mrs Poker Zombie as she begins her treatment. Y'all will be in my thoughts.
 
I had looked into these in my early years of PCF. But the reality is just throw them in a ziplock bag and know your spot is there. But I still like the idea there was a site I had back in the day but these look like they are worth a try.

https://www.amazon.com/Sohalejr-Con...acrylic+box&qid=1694492083&sr=8-12&th=1&psc=1

In case it didn’t go to the lid one for $15 look at that option. Hinged one isn’t flat on the top that you would flip over.
 
The general reason for leaving the chips on the table is so that new players to the game know that there is an alternate stack in play and can see the size of the stack of the player that will be returning. Also matters if match the stack rules apply and the away player is the largest stack.

In home games I've seen it used where the host is running a tournament but has busted and is playing the cash game and needs to be away to manage the tournament.
 
Lots of underground games here, it happens quite frequently; There is a game where a guy will run it up, and then every 10 mins take a 30 min smoke break. He can't stand for someone to play over him, so I play over him just to aggravate him into cashing out, he absolutely can't stand it when someone wins. I'll walk over and act like I'm ready to sit down when he gets up. After 2 or 3 times he quits taking 30 mins breaks. Its actually quite funny. He does this even though there is a waitlist and is a prop for the houseman.

If everyone knows everyone its typically fine. There are older casino rules, typically deals with 3rd man walking or being gone for a period of time. I would suggest if someone is going to play over give them at least a min time. "I'm going to take a break for 45 minutes or longer if someone wants to play over" so they know if they start off with a low swing they have a little bit to recover.


I found this on Amazon, and bought 1 jic for my game. Its just as easy and less likely to have a bad chip day to toss the chips in a rack and set them to the side. If you really want a box and can't find something I'm happy to send you this one. I think its a model car display box.


IMG_0871.jpeg


IMG_0874.jpeg


IMG_0875.jpeg


I too hope @Mrs Poker Zombie has a speedy recover!
 
Last edited:
BGinGA said:
I recall playover boxes as a 'thing' about 10 years ago. @courage had some in play at his meet-ups, but I don't remember the particulars. Maybe @bergs can chime in.
Click to expand...
We had it as a novelty more than anything else. A lot of drinking involved in those games so if someone headed upstairs for a nap from the main table, someone would slide over from a smaller game and play over.

It wore off pretty quick - maybe 2 meetups and it was back when we still played HE so prolly 2009-2010.
 
bergs said:
We had it as a novelty more than anything else. A lot of drinking involved in those games so if someone headed upstairs for a nap from the main table, someone would slide over from a smaller game and play over.

It wore off pretty quick - maybe 2 meetups and it was back when we still played HE so prolly 2009-2010.
Click to expand...
They still see occasional use in the mixed game, but mostly convenience/novelty. Could just rack the chips and set them aside. Another circumstance where I use one: dealer for another table has arrived (or some other player) and wants to play an orbit while I'm doing hosting duties or setting up.

glynn said:
Yeah I never understood the point of the clear box, even in a casino. If you want to allow playing over, then just cash the player out and write down his name, seat, and stack size.
Click to expand...
You don't want to cash out what could be a nice stack in the cash game (esp home game imo) and deprive the rest of the players the opportunity to get their chips back, also rewarding the player who went walkabout.
 
There are almost always affordable lucite storage containers of various shapes and sizes at my local TJ Maxx, in both the kitchen and the bath section, and sometimes clearance.
 
courage said:
You don't want to cash out what could be a nice stack in the cash game (esp home game imo) and deprive the rest of the players the opportunity to get their chips back, also rewarding the player who went walkabout.
Click to expand...
You misread my post. I understand the concept and point of playing over.
 
Except you said "cash the player out," with which I disagree. But whatever.
 

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