When we sit down at the poker table, we all want to stay in the game as long as possible! Have you ever wondered how long someone could play a poker session without taking a break? Well, now that we’ve planted that thought in your head, you can find out by reading this story about the longest poker game in history.

Where Did the Longest Poker Session in History Take Place?

I bet your first thought was some Twitch-streamed World Series of Poker tournament with Guinness World Records officials standing by, right? But nope, the location of the longest poker game in history is none other than the Wild West.

Tombstone, Arizona, the town famous for the notorious O.K. Corral shootout, was also home to this incredible poker session. And let’s not forget the other notorious spot where history was made: the Bird Cage Theatre, which still stands today. You can only imagine what kind of reputation it had back in the day when the New York Times described it as “the wildest, wickedest night spot between Basin Street and the Barbary Coast.”

The basement of this very institution hosted the longest poker game, and it wasn’t the only thing it hosted… There was also an elite bordello where, rumor has it, Wyatt Earp met his fourth wife, with whom he remained married for a long 47 years. Talk about a lucky hand!

Who Were the Participants in the Longest Poker Game in History?

Speaking of Wyatt Earp, he was just one in a lineup of the most recognizable faces of the Old West who participated in the poker games organized by the Bird Cage Theatre. He and the other participants of the O.K. Corral shootout weren’t just regulars at the Bird Cage Theatre—they were actively involved in these poker games.

Alongside Wyatt Earp and his famous partner, Doc Holliday, other notable players included George Hearst, Diamond Jim Brady, Bat Masterson, and Adolphus Busch. Yep, these guys weren’t just shooting from the hip—they were also pretty handy with a deck of cards!

What Were the Stakes in the Longest Poker Game?

The owners of the Bird Cage had a pretty clever idea to keep their business thriving—they organized a high-stakes poker game that seemingly never ended. Imagine this: the minimum buy-in was a whopping $1,000, which was a small fortune back then. Over the years, it’s estimated that a staggering $10,000,000 changed hands at the table. Adjusted for inflation, that’s over $273,300,000 today! And of course, the Bird Cage owners weren’t fools—they took a 10% cut of all that action. It’s pretty clear why they never wanted the game to stop, right?

How Long Did the Longest Poker Game in History Last?

You might be thinking we forgot the main question, but here’s your answer. The longest poker game ran continuously from 1881 to 1889—an incredible 8 years, 5 months, and 3 days. And no, this isn’t a joke! You’re probably wondering how that was even possible. The official story goes that players would only leave when someone new came in to take their place. And breaks? They had just a few minutes between hands—no sleep, no coffee breaks—just cards, cards, and more cards!

Why Did the Game End?

So after all those years, why did the game finally come to a halt? If you know anything about Tombstone and the Bird Cage, you might think that violence or a robbery ended this marathon session. But no, the truth is far less dramatic. In March 1889, miners at the nearby Grand Central mine dug too deep, causing underground water to flood the silver veins that were Tombstone’s economic lifeline. The townsfolk went broke, and with them, the profits that kept the Bird Cage in the game. And so, the longest poker game in history finally ended. For now, at least!

Conclusion

Eight years might sound like a long time for a poker game.. But if there’s one lesson to take away from this story, it’s that practice makes perfect. You might not spend eight years at the table, but who knows—your next poker game might be your own “eight-year” success story. Are you ready to chase down your big win and claim your place at the top? The cards are waiting at Mr. O Casino—your moment is now!

Read more: Card Counting in a world of RNG: Tradition vs. Technology