Sit Out

Overview

Sit Out is a feature in online poker and live tournament play that allows a player to step away from the table without immediately losing their seat. When a player sits out, they are not dealt into any new hands, and any blinds or antes they would have posted are either skipped or covered by the house rules, depending on the format.

How It Works in Online Poker

In online cash games, selecting "Sit Out” typically means the player will not receive any hands until they click "Sit Back In." The player’s seat is reserved, and they continue to be charged the time if applicable (e.g., hourly rake). Blinds pass them by; they do not post blinds while sitting out. However, if the table is full and others want to join, some software may automatically remove a player who sits out for too long. In tournaments, sitting out is more restrictive: blinds and antes are still posted from the player’s stack each round, rapidly depleting their chips. This is known as being "blinded out." In Sit & Go tournaments, players who sit out may be automatically removed after a certain number of hands if they do not return.

Live Poker Context

In live card rooms, a player can ask the dealer to "sit out" or "take a break." The dealer will put a button sign (often a laminated card) in front of the player indicating they are not playing the next hand. The player does not post blinds but loses their turn to act. If the button is about to pass them, the blind position may be adjusted (e.g., the player may come back and owe a blind). Different rooms have varying rules about how long a player can sit out; some require returning within a set number of hands or a time limit, otherwise the seat is released and the player must re-buy or be moved to the waiting list.

Reasons for Sitting Out

Common reasons include:

• Taking a bathroom or food break in a long session.
• Dealing with a phone call or distraction.
• Avoiding a difficult table condition (e.g., waiting for a tough opponent to leave).
• Collecting comps or waiting for a seat change in live play.

Strategy Considerations

Sitting out can be a useful tool for bankroll management or tilt control. For example, if a player feels frustrated after a bad beat, stepping away temporarily can prevent reckless play. In tournaments, however, sitting out is almost never advisable unless absolutely necessary, because blind levels increase and the cost of missed hands is high. In cash games, sitting out for a long period may harm the table dynamics, and frequent sitting out can annoy other players. Some rooms have policies against "seat-saving" or abusing the sit-out feature to avoid blinds.

Related Terms

• Auto Sit Out: A setting in online poker that puts the player on sit out automatically after a disconnection or inactivity.
• Blind Off: The process of losing chips by being forced to post blinds and antes while not playing hands.
• Sit & Go: A tournament format that starts as soon as the required number of players register, often with no option to sit out without penalty.
• Stand Up: Disconnecting from a cash game table completely (cashing out).