Time Is Of The Essence – Shot Clock vs. Called Clock

ESPN makes it's case for which is better for poker.

Time Is Of The Essence - Shot Clock vs. Called Clock
© World Poker Tour.

Are we moving into the era of the poker “shot clock?” As previously talked about here on F5 and, well, all over the pokerverse the World Poker Tour sent a survey to players looking for feedback of possible inclusion of a designated time in which you must make a decision about your hand. According to a recent blog post by WPT commentator Mike Sexton, the outcome favored the shot clock and…

I’m guessing/hoping you’ll see some type of ‘shot clock’ incorporated by the WPT for Season 13.

“Read: Mike Sexton – The ‘Shot Clock’ Is On The Way!

But is it a good idea? Bluff Magazine EIC Lance Bradley guest writes over at ESPN and thinks that the solution to time wasting tankers is NOT a shot clock, but something that’s already in place:

The problem of excessive tanking isn’t a new one. There is already a way to handle these players: Call the clock. The problem lies in the fact that calling the clock has a stigma attached to it. Do it against somebody you’re in a hand with and you’re seen as a jerk for not letting your opponent think his options through. It’s “unsportsmanlike,” in some eyes. Call the clock on somebody at your table when you’re not in the hand and you’re going to spend the rest of the day dodging daggers from the player you called the clock on.

Read: Should poker have a shot clock?

In the new editorial, Bradley lays out the foundation for why a shot clock may be great for those big name pros, but perhaps it’s just another barrier of entry for those who want to take a shot at a big buy-in. The pressure of playing in large events like the WPT would be compounded with the multi-level game of dealing with time in massive spots.

Poker is a game of making decisions; that’s part of its appeal. But there has been growing discussion in the past year about making sure that the experience players — in particular, recreational players — have is a great one and free of anything that will cause them to consider not coming back. The shot clock idea creates more pressure points for pros to take advantage of and could leave amateurs with a pretty sour taste in their mouths.

Bradley sets up a situation, not far fetched by any stretch, and then shows how and why a shot clock may not be the answer, but the time tested (and likely original) solution to tanking of calling the clock should be revisited by players as something that’s not, well, a dick move.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling (VACPG) helpline at 1-888-532-3500
published 9 years ago • by • permalink

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