Top 5 Mistakes Teams Make During Scrum Poker (And How to Avoid Them)

Mistake #1: The First Person Speaks First

This is called anchoring bias and it's the most common estimation error. When the tech lead says "I think this is a 3," everyone else unconsciously adjusts toward that number — even if they initially thought it was an 8.

The fix: Everyone votes simultaneously. No discussion until all cards are revealed. This is literally why Scrum Poker exists — to prevent anchoring.

Mistake #2: Estimating in a Vacuum

Teams often estimate stories without comparing them to anything. "Is this a 5?" ...compared to what?

The fix: Keep 2-3 reference stories visible during estimation. "Remember the login page? That was a 3. How does this compare?"

Mistake #3: The Expert Override

When the most experienced developer says "trust me, this is a 13," teams often just accept it. But the junior developer who'll actually implement it might have a very different experience.

The fix: If estimates span more than 2 Fibonacci steps (e.g., 3 and 13), both the highest and lowest voters must explain their reasoning. Not just the senior person.

Mistake #4: Estimating Everything

Not every backlog item needs a precise estimate. Bugs? Just fix them. Tech debt? Time-box it.

The fix: Only estimate user stories that deliver customer value. Everything else gets a time box or a standard sizing.

Mistake #5: Rushing to Consensus

The goal isn't to agree quickly — it's to surface hidden complexity. If everyone immediately votes "3," you've probably missed something.

The fix: Celebrate disagreement. When estimates diverge, that's where the learning happens. Take the time to discuss.