Sitting
Out
OK,
suppose you know you won't be back in time for the next
hand? You need just a bit more time in the kitchen and need
to sit one out. Or
Remember: You must always be back for the next round's betting
action (unless you used a pre-action checkbox to fold).
If you're not, you risk "timing out" even though
you have a live connection to the games server, incurring
the wrath of other players, who may suspect you of all-in
abuse as well as inconsideration.
what if the blinds
are about to reach you and you want a full ten minutes away
from the table?
- First, pre-fold the current hand if necessary.
- Next, if you're going to be gone more than one or two
hands, uncheck the "auto-post blind" or "auto-ante"
box if you've been using that feature. If you don't, you'll
be stuck paying blinds and have to wait another round for
your break - or you'll time out when you leave the room,
forfeiting not only the big blind but the kind regard of
your fellow players.
- Then look for the "Sit Out Next Hand" or "Sit
Out" button. It's often positioned right next to the
other pre-action buttons, but could be elsewhere on the
screen. Once you check it, the software will treat you as
if you're sitting out until you return. Your seat will receive
no cards and post no blinds or antes. To get back into the
games. either "unclick" the sit-out box or click
the large handy pop-up button that appears at some sites
just so you can easily signal, "I'm back."
- If you're planning on a break of any duration, make sure
you know the time limit.
You can't be away
from a table for forty minutes (or even a full hour) as
you can in many brick and mortar casinos. Your time away
from an online table may be limited to something closer
to ten minutes or, alternatively, three rounds. If you miss
the deadline to return to your seat. you'll be automatically
removed from the table and then have to re-enter the games
with a fresh buy-in. If the games is full and there's a waiting
list. you'll be last up to boot. Ugh!
