888 has introduced a new feature that predicts how long a tournament is expected to last, giving players a better idea of the time commitment before registering for an event.
The feature, called “AI Predicted Duration,” is currently available only in Alberta, where 888 launched its regulated online poker room on October 13. However, the operator is expected to extend it to its other markets once the initial trial is complete.
The addition could be particularly useful for recreational players who want to know whether they have enough time to finish a tournament, especially when entering events scheduled for late in the evening. Multi-table tournaments can run for several hours, making it difficult for players to plan their sessions without an indication of how long an event might take.
Players can find the estimated duration by opening an individual tournament lobby. A new field displays the predicted running time, with an information button explaining that the estimate “is based on AI.”
888 also makes clear that the prediction is not a guarantee, stating that the “actual tournament length can differ depending on gameplay and other factors.”
The feature has been available on the Alberta platform since its launch, although it has yet to be introduced across 888’s other markets.
More Poker Sites Are Offering Tournament Time Estimates
888 is joining a growing number of online poker operators that have introduced tools to help players estimate tournament durations.
Unibet Poker is believed to have been the first to introduce the functionality in September 2020. Its version, however, only displays the estimated duration after late registration closes.
GGPoker followed a couple of months later with a more detailed implementation. In addition to the expected overall tournament length, players can see estimates for when the tournament is likely to reach the money, when the final table is expected to begin, and how long the final table itself could last.
Other operators have since followed suit, including WPT Global, PokerStars, and the iPoker network. PokerStars introduced its Estimated Tournament Duration feature in 2025, initially making it available in Ontario before expanding to other markets.
BetRivers Poker also offers the functionality in the US market. PokerStars on FanDuel, which operates on the iPoker software, also has the functionality in its US and Ontario markets.
Despite the growing adoption, several major poker rooms have yet to introduce tournament duration estimates. PartyPoker, Winamax, and the Winning Poker Network (WPN) are among those that do not currently offer the feature.
There are some concerns that displaying particularly long tournament estimates could discourage players from registering. An event expected to run for seven or eight hours, for example, might put off recreational players who have limited time to play.
However, the idea is to give players more information before committing to a tournament and help them choose events that better fit their schedules.
888 and PokerStars Now Compete in Alberta
888 launched its Alberta platform on October 13, becoming the first regulated online poker room to enter the province. PokerStars on FanDuel followed on November 2, giving local players a second option.
Both operators currently run separate Alberta-only player pools, as a shared liquidity agreement with Ontario has yet to be implemented. This means traffic remains relatively limited compared with their larger international and shared-liquidity platforms.
For now, the smaller market provides 888 with an opportunity to test its latest addition before potentially bringing it to a much larger player base across its other jurisdictions.
