Poker pros like Hellmuth and Negreanu have long campaigned for play clocks
Phil Hellmuth has shared his thoughts on a new timing system introduced during a recent Triton Poker Series stop, offering support for a format designed to speed up play while keeping decisions fair. The system, known as Triton Tempo, has quickly become a topic of discussion among top players.
I’m happy about this rule change. I play super fast over 95% of the time, but sometimes, once a day, I need 4 minutes to suss out my opponents strength…
It was maddening, and not fair, to have some waste 5-10 minutes per hour and save their time banks
The new system seems fair https://t.co/PQlGSh0ZQC
— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) March 16, 2026
The format changes how time is used at the table. Players still receive a fixed amount of time for each decision, but once that runs out, any extra thinking time is taken from a personal time bank. This removes the traditional use of separate time extensions and creates a more structured approach to managing the pace of the game.
Hellmuth said the system makes sense, especially in high-pressure spots where players need more time. He explained that while he often acts quickly, certain hands require deeper thought. Having access to a shared time bank allows for that flexibility without slowing down every hand unnecessarily.
At the same time, he pointed out a long-standing issue in poker: players intentionally taking too long to act. According to Hellmuth, older systems made it easier for some to stall, which could frustrate others at the table. He believes the new approach helps limit that behavior by putting stricter boundaries on how extra time is used.
Just like Daniel Negreanu, Hellmuth views the format as a positive step forward. Both players see it as a fairer system that balances the need for thoughtful decisions with a smoother pace of play.
The early response suggests Triton Tempo could influence how tournaments handle time moving forward, especially at the highest levels of competition.
