You may probably wonder how many people can play poker, and why the number of players is limited to a certain number. This is an interesting question, because, even though there is a standard number of players, there still may be exceptions.
How Many People Can Play Poker at Once?
In theory, 22 people can play poker at the same time. The poker is played with the 52-card deck: five cards should lay face-up, and three in the burn pile. Then 44 cards are left. All the players need to have two cards dealt. It means that 22 people can play poker at one table.
However, you will unlikely witness such a poker game. Firstly, playing with 22 people is just uncomfortable. There are no casinos and houses with such big tables. Secondly, the playing process will slow down with such a big amount of players. The participants may start drawn-out rounds which are not profitable for the casino. All gambling establishments charge a commission from the player. And fewer hands mean fewer commissions that can be charged by the house.
What is the Optimal Number of Players at the One Table?
The number of players should be optimal enough to make the betting process smooth. There should also be enough room for the dealer to deal cards and push chips. That is why the optimal number of players at one table is nine. You will more likely find 9-max tables at land-based casinos. Of course, some establishments allow 10 players, however, this is rather an exception to the rule. Poker is a game of skill, where players should monitor each other. With 9 people at the table, the possible number of participants players should play against is reduced. This way, gamblers have wider playing possibilities. There are bigger chances to bet and hold the winning card.
Playing with more than 9 people can lead to a chaotic game, which can be hard for the dealer.
The standard number of people at the table during the poker round also fastens up the gaming process. Usually, a hand lasts from a few seconds to 10 minutes with the standard number of players. The more players are at the table — the longer the betting time is. Each player needs to contemplate his decision which may take hours in total, and make a poker session too long. This way the poker round gets less enjoyable and thrilling.
Online Poker Game
You will more likely find 6-max tables at the online casino in place of 9-max ones. Six players are the optimal number for the online poker session because it lets players play more hands, and makes the playing process more exciting. The poker round is faster and players get higher chances to win if there are only 6 people at the table.