In 30 seconds
- Everyone picks an estimate privately, then all reveal at once.
- Big differences trigger a short discussion, then a re-vote.
- The conversation matters more than the number.
Try it
For teams estimating in the same room: everyone picks a card on their own phone, then all flip at once. Tap a card to hide it face-down; tap again to reveal.
How a round works
- The Product Owner reads a user story and answers questions.
- Each person privately picks a card with their estimate.
- Everyone reveals at the same time.
- The highest and lowest explain their reasoning.
- The team re-votes until the estimates converge.
The cards
Most decks use a modified Fibonacci sequence: 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 20, 40, 100, plus "?" for "I don't know". The growing gaps reflect that big items are harder to estimate precisely. Values are usually story points, not hours.
Why it works
Simultaneous reveal stops the first or loudest voice anchoring everyone else. The discussion between outliers surfaces hidden work or misunderstandings before the sprint starts, not halfway through it.
Origins
James Grenning described the technique in 2002, and Mike Cohn popularized it in his books on agile estimating.
Myth vs reality
The AI angle
When AI shrinks typing effort, the useful part of Planning Poker is surfacing uncertainty and different assumptions. Keep the conversation even if the numbers matter less.
FAQ
Who takes part?
The Developers who will do the work. The Product Owner clarifies but usually doesn't vote.
What if a story gets 40 or 100?
It's too big. Split it before estimating again.
Can remote teams play?
Yes. Many free online tools handle the simultaneous reveal.