How it Works
What is the Pomodoro Technique?
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s with a tomato timer in his kitchen. The traditional approach uses a physical timer to set fixed 25-minute work intervals followed by short breaks to focus and break down large tasks into manageable chunks.
How Gambler's Pomodoro is Different
Gambler's Pomodoro adds an element of chance to the pomodoro process. How long will your work block be? Instead of fixed 25-minute sessions, you draw cards from a deck to find out!
Each card in the deck corresponds to a specific work duration:
- Ace (A): 45 minutes
- King (K): 25 minutes
- Queen (Q): 20 minute
- Jack (J): 15 minutes
- Number cards (2-10): Face value
How Long is a Full Deck?
A complete 52-card deck totals 364 minutes of work time (about 6 hours). This makes it perfect for:
- Full work days - Complete a deck for substantial progress
- Project sprints - Use partial decks for focused sessions
- Flexible scheduling - Deal only the cards you need
How to Use the Method
- Deal a card to reveal your next work session duration
- Start the timer and focus solely on your task
- Work until time expires - no stopping early
- Take a break between cards (5-15 minutes recommended)
- Draw another card when ready to continue
- Track your progress as you work through the deck