Is there ever a time to stop playing cards? Do you and your guests have card games that end when you hear the neighbor’s rooster crow? Don’t laugh; it has happened to many people. Time flies when you are having fun as the old saying goes.

For some people that are carefree, time may not be a problem. For people with activities outside of card night, this overtime may not be appropriate for them. It may not be their decision entirely. For a married person, the spouse may weigh heavily on the decision of time spent at card games, for example. Whether that is right or wrong in your eyes, is not for you to judge; although it happens. It is between the two people in the relationship.

The question of whether or not to set a time limit on card games should generally be up to everyone in attendance. There will always be some people who have meetings the next morning, or family events the next day, and have to leave early. Does this mean that everyone should go? Possibly you are the card host that dreads hosting because no one leaves early enough. There is a solution to that problem and it is called; speaking up.

Most people should understand a time limit on game nights, if there has to be one. There are some nights that could be called a free for all and there is no time limit. These dates and times could be intermingled among the group so that everyone knows there will be a time limit sometimes.

Before the game is held, you may want to let people know that 2am is the limit for that night. The game is over and there is no such thing as “one more hand”. It may be a nice gesture for someone to announce the time of 1:30am to let everyone know there is a half hour left.

One stronger message is to set an alarm clock when it is time for people to leave. When the clock goes off, clear the table; and that should give sufficient notice that you were not kidding about the time limits. This is a solution for someone who can take a strong stance no matter who may oppose the action.

The bottom line is to have a clean and fair game night; everyone in attendance should know the house rules beforehand.