Anonymous Planning Poker
The single biggest threat to an honest estimate is the first number said out loud. Blind, simultaneous voting removes it.
Anchoring quietly ruins your estimates
Anchoring bias is well documented: the first value people hear becomes a reference point they adjust from, even when it is arbitrary. In estimation, that first "it's a 3" pulls the whole room toward 3.
It compounds with seniority. When the tech lead or manager estimates first, juniors rarely contradict them, so the number you land on reflects the hierarchy, not the work.
The fix is structural, not social: nobody should see or hear anyone else's estimate until everyone has committed. Then the disagreement is real, and worth discussing.
How blind voting removes the anchor
Votes hidden until reveal
Each person's card stays private, even from the host, until all votes are revealed at once.
No sequence, no seniority effect
Everyone commits independently, so the loudest or most senior voice cannot set the anchor.
Reveal the honest spread
When cards flip together, real disagreement is visible and becomes the basis for discussion.
Re-vote cleanly
Start a fresh round after discussion, and the previous votes are cleared so the next one is just as blind.
How it works
- Create a room and invite the team.
- Everyone privately selects a card, and no one can peek.
- Reveal all votes at once and discuss the true spread.
Frequently asked questions
Can anyone see my vote before the reveal?
No. Your vote is hidden from everyone, including the host, until all votes are revealed together.
How does this reduce anchoring bias?
Because no estimate is visible or spoken before everyone commits, there is no first number for the group to anchor on.
Can we re-vote after discussing?
Yes. Starting the next round clears the previous votes so the re-vote is just as blind.
Do we need accounts to stay anonymous?
No sign-up is required; you only pick a display name to join.