Paradigm Shift: Is It Worth Starting Poker Tournaments Earlier?

The poker community is discussing the idea of starting live tournaments earlier. Well-known pros are sharing their opinions on the pros and cons of this innovation.

In recent days, there has been an active debate within the poker community about a potential “paradigm shift” in live tournament scheduling. Two prominent professionals—PokerStars ambassador Jason Koon and 2025 WSOP bracelet winner Seth Davies—have publicly advocated for earlier tournament start times and shorter tournament days. Their views have been supported by other well-known players, though some have voiced reservations. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the discussion, share the perspectives of those involved, and consider what PPPoker club players can learn from it. The Initiative: Why Earlier Tournament Starts Matter Seth Davies, whose total live tournament winnings according to The Hendon Mob exceed $44.5 million, was the first to raise the topic on X (formerly Twitter). He pointed out that the usual tournament start times of 12:00, 1:00 p.m., or even 2:00 p.m. lead to marathon sessions that finish late at night. In Davies’ view, this is inconvenient for both professionals and recreational players. He suggested starting tournaments as early as 10:00 a.m. so that they could finish at a reasonable hour. If a player busts out early, they would still have the evening free for other activities. Davies wrote: “It’s long overdue for the industry to change its approach to tournament start times. Almost nobody likes playing until late at night—neither pros nor recreational players. Let’s start at 10 a.m. and finish earlier. If you bust early, your evening is free.” Jason Koon Backs the Idea and Broadens the Argument Jason Koon, PokerStars ambassador and one of the most influential high rollers, supported Davies’ position and added that earlier starts and shorter tournament days would benefit not only players but also casino staff. Koon emphasized that late finishes negatively impact the sleep and overall health of everyone involved. He noted that many major tournaments, especially large-field multi-table events, start at noon or later and often run until 3 a.m. As a positive example, Koon cited the PokerStars North American Poker Tour (NAPT) Main Event, where days are shorter and players aren’t forced to stay in the casino until morning. However, he noted that this approach is still rare in the poker world. Koon also added: “Forcing recreational players with regular lives to play deep into the night is a serious barrier to broader participation.” Other Pros Weigh In: Benefits and Concerns Other well-known players joined the discussion. Jeremy Ausmus, a six-time WSOP bracelet winner and regular Poker Hall of Fame nominee, expressed concern that a 10 a.m. start might deter some players. Ausmus suggested a compromise: starting at 11:00 a.m. Martin Jacobson, 2014 WSOP Main Event champion, offered an even more radical view: in his opinion, the ideal schedule would be to start Day 1 at 9 a.m., finish the session at 7 p.m., and resume the next day at 10 a.m. Davies called this a “dream schedule.” Andy Bloch, former Full Tilt Poker pro, recalled that WSOP tournaments used to start at 12:00, as this was considered the earliest acceptable time for poker players. There was no late registration, and the structures were fast, so the money bubble would burst soon after dinner. Faraz Jaka, professional player and founder of Jaka Coaching, noted that long tournament days are extremely exhausting and negatively affect players’ quality of life. Katie Stone, co-founder of USA Chess, had already raised the issue of lengthy tournament days back in April. In response to Koon’s tweet, Jacki Burkhart wrote that even on vacation, it’s difficult for her to stay focused at 12:45 a.m., when the most important decisions in a tournament are usually made. She added that with a standard work schedule (7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 3-4 days a week), late finishes are especially tough to handle. Other supporters of shorter days and earlier starts include well-known players such as Andrew Moreno, Phil Galfond, and Dan Shak. The topic was also discussed in a recent episode of the PokerNews podcast (starting at 11:09). Context: How Modern Live Tournaments Are Structured In most major live series, such as the WSOP, tournaments don’t start before noon. Because of large fields and slow structures, tournament days often stretch late into the night. For professionals, this means long hours at the table; for recreational players, it means sacrificing evening plans or even sleep. Some series, like PokerStars NAPT, are already experimenting with shorter days, but for now, this is more the exception than the rule. The multi-table tournament (MTT) format means players start with equal stacks and play until a winner is determined. In large events with thousands of entrants, a tournament day can last 10–12 hours with only short breaks. Late registration allows players to join the tournament after several levels, which sometimes helps “night owls,” but overall doesn’t solve the problem of late finishes. Summary Table: Participants’ Opinions Seth Davies: Supports starting tournaments at 10:00 a.m. to finish earlier and give players more free time. Jason Koon: Favors earlier starts, highlighting the benefits for both players and staff, and the negative impact of late finishes on health. Jeremy Ausmus: Thinks 10:00 a.m. is too early, suggests 11:00 a.m. as a compromise. Martin Jacobson: Proposes starting at 9:00 a.m. and finishing at 7:00 p.m., continuing the next day at 10:00 a.m. Andy Bloch: Reminds that tournaments used to start at 12:00 p.m. with no late registration and fast structures. Faraz Jaka: Points out the exhaustion from long tournament days and the negative effect on quality of life. Katie Stone: Previously raised the issue of excessively long tournament days. Jacki Burkhart: Shares her experience: even on vacation, it’s hard to stay sharp at midnight when the fate of the tournament is decided. Andrew Moreno, Phil Galfond, Dan Shak: Support the idea of shorter days and earlier starts. Reasons and Consequences: Why This Issue Matters The debate over tournament schedules affects both professionals and recreational players. For the former, it’s a matter of physical and mental health and the ability to maintain peak performance throughout a series. For the latter, it’s about balancing poker with work and family life. Tournament organizers are also interested in making events as appealing as possible to a broad audience, since late finishes can discourage potential participants. As Koon and Davies point out, late tournament days negatively affect sleep and overall well-being, and also make things more difficult for casino staff. On the other hand, starts that are too early may be inconvenient for some players, especially those not used to early mornings. According to most participants in the discussion, the optimal solution is to find a balance between the length of tournament days and start times, possibly experimenting with schedules across different series. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For PPPoker club members, this discussion is a good reason to reflect on your own playing schedule. Online platforms, unlike live series, offer more flexibility: you can choose tournaments with convenient start times and durations. If you regularly play long sessions, it’s worth considering how this affects your well-being and results. You might want to prioritize tournaments with shorter structures or start playing at a time that suits you best. The experience of top professionals also shows that the quality of your play is directly linked to your level of fatigue and concentration. Even if you’re not planning a live poker career, smart session planning on PPPoker will help you enjoy the game more and achieve better results. Don’t forget to take breaks and pay attention to your sleep schedule—this is important for both professionals and recreational players. Finally, if you’re involved in organizing club events or home series on PPPoker, consider experimenting with tournament schedules. Earlier starts or shorter tournament days might attract new participants and make the game more comfortable for everyone.