Although the 2012 World Series of Poker Championship Event was one of the more exciting final tables in quite some time, there is a new debate raging across the internet regarding one aspect of poker that, some believe, has become a problem…the “tanking” by players as they make a decision. This discussion has brought out the question once again of putting a “shot clock” in place in poker to speed the game up.
Poker player/blogger Scott Clark brought up the issue as he discussed the WSOP Championship Event final table on Wednesday. “During the live play of the 2012 Main Event, fans that were following the action complained about the excessive tanking by the competitors,” Clark notes. Clark particularly targets eventual runner-up Jesse Sylvia as the worst offender, pointing out a Tweet from poker professional Daniel Negreanu which read, “If there was any doubt about the need for a clock in poker, this (the Main Event play) is Exhibit A. This is painstakingly tilting for casual viewers.”
“Wouldn’t it be cool,” Clark queries. “Doesn’t it make too much sense?” There are several aspects that would have to be examined with the implementation of a “shot clock” in the game, however.
What Tournaments?
One of the big questions would be what tournaments do you put the shot clock on. Does the $40 buy in tournament at your local casino have the need for such action? At what stakes would a shot clock be implemented for? Poker’s rules are already different enough by locations and adding in a shot clock for tournaments would put another layer of rules out there that would be different by what location you play at.
How Long?
Another big question would be how long would be the time limit on the shot clock. It has often been said that players know what they will do within fifteen seconds of looking at their hole cards. Anything beyond that is simply “Hollywooding” to try to get responses from your opponents or masking the fact that you were making a move without the proper ammunition.
If a shot clock were to be implemented in poker, it would have to be long enough to allow for complete thought while also moving the game along. While the online standard (approximately fifteen seconds) is a bit too strict, making a decision within two minutes shouldn’t be too much to ask for someone to come to a conclusion.
When Do You Put The Shot Clock On?
Rules in poker go across the entirety of a tournament. With this theory in mind, if a shot clock was placed on poker, you should have it from the start of the event to its conclusion. When the blinds are 25/50, however, this would more than likely be a waste of time (no pun intended). Instituting the shot clock “on the bubble” or once the players have made the money would, in fact, change the style of the game if the clock isn’t used from the start of the tournament.
Does The Money Matter?
This is an offshoot of the “which tournament” question. If the prize pool is only a few thousand dollars, would the shot clock have less time (or even be used)? If, for example, we’re talking about the WSOP Championship Event, wouldn’t you want to give some time to a player making a multi-million dollar decision?
Don’t We Already Have A Clock?
In theory, the shot clock is already in place in the game of poker. It is something that is anathema for most poker players, however (remember how Tiffany Michelle still gets derision for her usage of it in the WSOP Championship Event a few years ago), because of its “nitty” appearance. There are also different thoughts as to individual poker players as to how long is “too long.”
Clark believes a shot clock is not a bad idea for the game of poker. A two minute clock, used at the final table, might be the best situation but, as Clark also states, there are few ideas on how to institute it. “At the very least,” Clark concludes on his blog, “players should move the game along out of respect to your fellow players.”
