We schedule to play every week but wind up playing 2 out of every 5 or 2 out of 6 weeks because of one person or another's scheduling conflict (a job might come up for someone), weather, sudden commitment (wedding or funeral out of town), or illness. All of us are fine holding off to make sure the whole group can play unless there is to be an extended absence then we manage with a smaller group until folks return. On the unscheduled conflicts, we play boardgames mostly but sometimes cancel outright, like if there is a blizzard. Games are usually four to five hours but sometimes as long as seven.