Analyzing Game by Session Duration with Hand2Note

As a rule, in any activity, people tend to experience cyclical states: from awakening to optimal, from optimal to fatigue. Poker is no exception.

In this article, we will show how a player can use Hand2Note to determine the optimal time range for session durations.

Determining the Optimal Session Length by Time

Next, go to “Sessions”(3) and find the line “Sessions length (min)”(4). Enter our first time range into it – from 1 to 2 hours, in minutes (from 60 to 120 minutes). After entering the time range, click “APPLY”(5) to apply the filter.

After applying the filter, we can see it active in area (1).

Also, by finding the label “WinRate EV, bb/100″(2), we can notice that the WinRate EV, bb/100 for sessions lasting from 1 to 2 hours is 1.5.

By repeating the actions described above, but setting new time ranges, our WinRate EV, bb/100 is:

• for a session from 1 to 2 hours – 1.5;
• for a session from 2 to 3 hours – 7.4;
• for a session from 3 to 4 hours – 6.9;
• for a session from 4 to 5 hours – 8.3;
• for a session from 5 to 6 hours – 2.1;
• for a session from 6 to 7 hours – 3.3;
• for a session from 7 to 8 hours – 1.4;
• for a session from 8 to 9 hours – -0.8;
• for a session from 9 to 10 hours – -2.1.

In the end, it can be noted that the optimal play is in the range of 2 to 5 hours of a gaming session.

Thus, you can determine your optimal time range for session durations.

It is important to note that you need a good sample size for this kind of analysis. On small databases, the results can be inconsistent. In our example, the win rate for sessions lasting from 1 to 2 hours was only 1.5, while for sessions of 2 to 3 hours it was 7.4. Of course, this doesn’t mean you must always play for at least 2 hours. Most likely, such numbers are due to insufficient sample size.

What you should really pay attention to is from what session length your win rate starts to drop. In our example, a significant drop is seen after 5 hours — and this can be interpreted as a signal that you might want to stop after 4–5 hours of play and take a break.

Remember that everyone has individual characteristics, and the ability to play well over several hours varies from person to person. If you notice that your performance drops even after 2 hours of play — that’s also fine. Just break your sessions into 1–2 hour blocks and take breaks in between.