More players are speaking out in favor of an automatic “shot clock” in poker tournaments
The debate over slow play in poker tournaments is gaining momentum, with prominent figures in the poker community calling for more decisive action to combat habitual tanking. Daniel Negreanu, a seven-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner, has voiced strong support for players calling the clock on opponents who take excessive time to make decisions, especially those who stall regularly. Negreanu emphasized that players should feel empowered to call the clock without hesitation, stating, “It is within your right to call the clock.”
Negreanu pointed out that while it’s understandable for players to take extra time on significant decisions, especially on the river, those who consistently waste time should be held accountable. He suggested players give these habitual tankers a warning before calling the clock, letting them know that they won’t have as much time to act going forward. His stance is clear: it’s not about creating conflict at the table but about ensuring a reasonable pace of play for everyone involved.
WSOP Main Event players:
Normalize calling the clock. It’s not personal, it is within your right as a player in the tourney.
I would suggest being quicker to call it on those that are excessively slow on every action pre/post flop and more lenient on players who act quickly…
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) July 5, 2025
The issue of slow play has been a long-standing problem, particularly at the WSOP Main Event, where each decision carries enormous weight. While some poker series have implemented shot clocks to limit the time players can take per decision, the WSOP has reserved these for high roller events. Out of the 100 events on the schedule, only 12 feature shot clocks, leaving it largely up to players to regulate the pace themselves.
The support for Negreanu’s position is growing. Tournament director Matt Savage, a proponent of shot clocks, suggests that tournaments should adopt action clocks from the start, ensuring quicker decisions across all levels of play.
Phil Hellmuth, another poker legend, proposed a “ten clocks rule,” where players who are clocked more than ten times in a tournament would face penalties. The push for quicker play and stronger enforcement continues to build, with many players, including Ryan Depaulo and Jon Shoreman, advocating for faster decision-making at the table.
