'Hit and Run' Etiquette in Cash Games

Nick BingerPlaying cash games allows the ultimate flexibility for poker players. Unlike a tournament, you can leave or join a cash game at your convenience. However, opinions vary widely when it comes to the etiquette of appropriate time to leave a cash game. This is one of the most common questions I get from students, particularly when it comes to the concept of "hit and runs."

After winning a big pot in a cash game, when are you allowed to leave the table? Can you leave immediately after you rake in the chips, or should you stick around a bit longer so other players feel like they can win some of "their" chips back?

The short answer to this question is that your timing for leaving a cash…