Rules on calling the clock (2 Viewers)

[5Bet]

A common issue my home game runs into is when it’s an appropriate time to call the clock and who is allowed to call the clock.

We only have one player who sucks the clock down on big pivotal plays and when the clock is called on him he always wants to dispute the justification for the clock being called. I understand being emotionally involved in the hand, but it’s not fair to the other players to feel intimated to call the clock because someone else is going to get pissy. The issue is “don’t call the clock if you’re not in the hand” verses “everyone is suffering the timer going off because you’re sucking out the timer and causing the blinds to go up”

We have a set of house rules, but they don’t cover the clock so my questions are:

-When is it considered common practice to call the clock?

-Are you allowed to call the clock if you’re not in the hand, but you do have chips?

-Does the host who represents “The House” have the authority to call the clock if their not in the hand?

-Does being in the hand even matter since the timer impacts every player in a tournament considering the blinds go up?

Thank you.

 

[jpietrella]

TD rules state that Tournament Director (the house in your case?) may call the clock or, any player in the event, who is at their seat, may call the clock.

Sounds like time of the clock is at your discretion but I think 25 seconds with a 5 second count down is standard. Hand is folded after time expires and tie goes to the player.

 

[EastCoastCali]

Sounds like Mr. Indecisive needs his wife to come make the decisions for him…

In my opinion, and if it was my game, as the host I’d tell him to shit or get off the pot, flip a coin, set his own timer, do whatever you need to but stop wasting peoples time. It’s clear he’s taking long enough he’s causing an issue And if he gets defensive I’d tell him to put his big boy panties on next time, people wanna play poker.

 

[merkong]

-When is it considered common practice to call the clock?

Obviously, when a player is taking too long. It’s situational of course. Tanking over a huge decision on a big pot is different than deciding to call a limp preflop.

-Are you allowed to call the clock if you’re not in the hand, but you do have chips?

Again, all players should have situational awareness. Big decision, give them some time. Little decision, let’s go. Cash and tourneys are separate entities for blinds and timer reasons. Players not in the hand can call a clock but it is very arduous territory. Our crew knows that they have to right but the house would normally do everything possible to make sure all parties needs are being met. If a player is ready to call a clock they also know that the gentle nudging and eventual request for a decision is immediately around the corner from the house.

-Does the host who represents “The House” have the authority to call the clock if they’re not in the hand?

I’d say yes but it’s not something I do. We play cash games exclusively so it’s not apples and apples. If it were a tournament I’d apprise all players to be mindful of long trips to the tank simply because of the timer and the blinds.

-Does being in the hand even matter since the timer impacts every player in a tournament considering the blinds go up?

In a tourney, calling the clock should be covered before the start so players are mindful of the time they take and know that it’s acceptable to call the clock on someone.

We don’t call many of any clocks at Godfather Club. It’s a cash game mind you but as dealer I drive the action, mainly for those who get a little distracted, but also gesture and imply to players in the tank that we’re mindful of both the decision they’re working on and the fact that we’re anxiously awaiting that decision.

 

[Machine]

First question: is this a cash game?

 

[LeLe]

I will suggest you to introduce time bank chips, so everyone have a fixed amount of time to make decisions and there will be no need for discussion regarding calling clock

 

[upNdown]

A common issue my home game runs into is when it’s an appropriate time to call the clock

This seems like a problem. Have you thought about instituting a shot clock? I don't play a lot of home game tournaments, but I dont have the sense that tanking is normally a problem.

And to answer your question, no, you don't have to be in the hand.

 

[ItterBe]

A common issue my home game runs into is when it’s an appropriate time to call the clock and who is allowed to call the clock.

We only have one player who sucks the clock down on big pivotal plays and when the clock is called on him he always wants to dispute the justification for the clock being called. I understand being emotionally involved in the hand, but it’s not fair to the other players to feel intimated to call the clock because someone else is going to get pissy. The issue is “don’t call the clock if you’re not in the hand” verses “everyone is suffering the timer going off because you’re sucking out the timer and causing the blinds to go up”

We have a set of house rules, but they don’t cover the clock so my questions are:

-When is it considered common practice to call the clock?

-Are you allowed to call the clock if you’re not in the hand, but you do have chips?

-Does the host who represents “The House” have the authority to call the clock if their not in the hand?

-Does being in the hand even matter since the timer impacts every player in a tournament considering the blinds go up?

Thank you.

A common issue my home game runs into is when it’s an appropriate time to call the clock and who is allowed to call the clock.

We only have one player who sucks the clock down on big pivotal plays and when the clock is called on him he always wants to dispute the justification for the clock being called. I understand being emotionally involved in the hand, but it’s not fair to the other players to feel intimated to call the clock because someone else is going to get pissy. The issue is “don’t call the clock if you’re not in the hand” verses “everyone is suffering the timer going off because you’re sucking out the timer and causing the blinds to go up”

We have a set of house rules, but they don’t cover the clock so my questions are:

-When is it considered common practice to call the clock?

-Are you allowed to call the clock if you’re not in the hand, but you do have chips?

-Does the host who represents “The House” have the authority to call the clock if their not in the hand?

-Does being in the hand even matter since the timer impacts every player in a tournament considering the blinds go up?

Thank you.

Brother I've experienced the same problem at the home game I attend. It sounds like in your situation there needs to be communication with whole group and get everyone on the same page, for whatever that means or feels right for your group. WSOP Rules are that any participant is allowed to call the clock if they feel that other participants are impeding progress of the game. It used to be after a "reasonable amount of time" which was considered two minutes, but they changed it back in 2017 to leave it up to players on what feels reasonable. I don't think you have to follow WSOP, but I think if your problem player is fighting it, it's worth noting that they've set a precedent if you needed an official voice or guidance for your group. Good luck!

 

[ekricket]

I’ve played in a game that if clock was called, and it was rare, you had to show your cards after the hand was over, win, lose, or fold on the next streets. It let people know that bullshit stalling to run out a clock or just to be grandstanding with a double gapped inside straight draw to a double paired board was going to get called out.
It just sounds imho that your player has something else going on. Wants attention, frustrated over never hitting long shots, believes it should always be like it is on TV, something.

 

[TheUnseen]

Tournament play anyone who has chips should be able to call clock.

It affects the small stacks the most. It's a big deal having the clock wind down with only a few blinds remaining.

I've been in games where host compromised and paused the tourney timer when it was final table. Prevented small stacks from getting blinded out.

Not the best solution imo but prevented a fragile ego from getting pissy.

In my experience these sorts of players aren't fun to play with. I would allow everyone dealt in to call the clock, 60 sec timer with a 10 second countdown.

But whatever makes the group and you happy. Ballance out the feelings of 1 player vs keeping your group and yourself happy.

 

[5Bet]

First question: is this a cash game?

It is a tournament style with cash involved

 

[chippitydoodah]

I will suggest you to introduce time bank chips, so everyone have a fixed amount of time to make decisions and there will be no need for discussion regarding calling clock

View attachment 1394821

Wouldn't these only work if there's like a 60 second shot clock going the second the action was on a player? Also, how much time does that then buy for the player?

 

[LeLe]

Wouldn't these only work if there's like a 60 second shot clock going the second the action was on a player? Also, how much time does that then buy for the player?

It depends, 1 game that I joined everyone has 30 sec to act and 1 min extra for each time bank chips

Time is paused for clarification of chips stack and pot stack too

 

[BGinGA]

We've used time chips for years. The number issued per player and the time value of each varies depending on the estimated tournament length, but 30 seconds to initially act is pretty standard for our events.

The mere introduction of time chips pretty much ended all of the stalling. Pretty rare that even one gets used during a typical 5-hour / 12-level event.

 

[Machine]

It is a tournament style with cash involved

While this is ambiguous and I should ask you to clarify I will make some assumptions...

Any player that had a valid hand would have a claim to call 'clock' on anyone. Typically, players have 30 seconds to act on their action.

Without running a 30 second clock on everyone, I would give a gracious amount of time before calling clock, like 2 mins.

If it is the same person that is doing it, I would issue a penalty and ask them to step away from the table for 3 hands, if that doesn't motivate them, I would offer that perhaps the stakes were too high and not invite them to the next session.

 

[ValueTown]

How big is the pot size?

Anyone can call clock, nobody wants to sit there for 10 minutes...multiple times.

 

[Highli99]

I play FAST. I don't expect others to be as fast. However, I will be much more understanding of tanks when you act fast in easy spots.

Preflop. No tanking ever. Ever.

Flop, better be a big effing bet.

Turn, permitted u less you do it every time.

River, fine as long as the pot is big. Also, better not exceed a minute or two.

I don't know wtf these situations in casinos where people tank for five minutes. I DGAF how much money this game isn't going to be solved in your head. You get a minute.

 

[Chippy McChiperson]

I play FAST. I don't expect others to be as fast. However, I will be much more understanding of tanks when you act fast in easy spots.

Preflop. No tanking ever. Ever.

Flop, better be a big effing bet.

Turn, permitted u less you do it every time.

River, fine as long as the pot is big. Also, better not exceed a minute or two.

I don't know wtf these situations in casinos where people tank for five minutes. I DGAF how much money this game isn't going to be solved in your head. You get a minute.

But what about slow rolling your friend in a cash game?

 

[Highli99]

But what about slow rolling your friend in a cash game?

Always allowed!! Slow rolling is a permananet exception.

Btw, @krafticus had an incredible slowroll with quads in holdem at the last game. You would have approved!

 

[glynn]

Does the host who represents “The House” have the authority to call the clock if their not in the hand?

Absolutely, and as with floor rulings, the tanker can find another game if he doesn't trust the host (or whoever the host designates as the floor) to be fair. He should be allowed to pull this shit a maximum of one time.

The TDA rules are an easy read btw. I recommend brushing up on them if you haven't lately so that you can act confidently in the moment.

 

[5Bet]

We've used time chips for years. The number issued per player and the time value of each varies depending on the estimated tournament length, but 30 seconds to initially act is pretty standard for our events.

The mere introduction of time chips pretty much ended all of the stalling. Pretty rare that even one gets used during a typical 5-hour / 12-level event.

I want to introduce time bank cards, but I’m not sure how I’m going to accomplish keeping track of the time.

It may be a little involved of a question, but what are the fine tuned mechanics of adding time bank cards? It seems that there’s other things like game structure, added timers, how many to start with, etc. involved with the addition of the time card option.

Right now we have one tv that displays the blind counter with a timer. Would I need a separate platform to run the shot clock?

 

[5Bet]

How big is the pot size?

Anyone can call clock, nobody wants to sit there for 10 minutes...multiple times.

In the particular instance that sparked this discussion the hand came down to an “all in or fold” and the pot was big enough for it make or break the players.

The player in question is the only player who has gotten the clock called on them in times past.

 

[Bluegrass Poker]

It is a tournament style with cash involved

Ok, you gotta explain this.

 

[TheUnseen]

Ok, you gotta explain this.

I took it as he's playing a tournament and they're playing for money vs playing a tournament just for fun

 

[TheUnseen]

I want to introduce time bank cards, but I’m not sure how I’m going to accomplish keeping track of the time.

It may be a little involved of a question, but what are the fine tuned mechanics of adding time bank cards? It seems that there’s other things like game structure, added timers, how many to start with, etc. involved with the addition of the time card option.

Right now we have one tv that displays the blind counter with a timer. Would I need a separate platform to run the shot clock?

If it's just the one guy who is an issue I wouldn't go overboard with a shot clock.

If you want to do a time bank, give one to every player. If someone calls clock after a reasonable amount of time (reasonable is determinedby the host), start a 60 second timer on your phone. If they want to use their time bank chip it adds another 30/60/90 seconds, whatever increment you decide beforehand. Count down the last 10 seconds out loud.

If no decision is made by 0, it's a fold.

If your guy is still complaining he honestly doesn't have a leg to stand on. You've more than accommodated him

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

The player in question is the only player who has gotten the clock called on them in times past.

This isnt a clock calling problem, this is that one player being a problem. Pull him aside and talk to him not in front of everyone, but make it clear that people aren't ganging up on him they're just responding to him negatively affecting the game.

He's not Phil Hellmuth, he's an ape thats consistently slowing the game down. Personally we'd shame him, we'd call it the "Steve Rule": if everyone agrees that the player has had enough time, a clock can be called.

 

[5Bet]

Ok, you gotta explain this.

Hahaha. I apologize. We play a standard tournament for cash with starting stacks for just my buddies.

 

[5Bet]

If it's just the one guy who is an issue I wouldn't go overboard with a shot clock.

If you want to do a time bank, give one to every player. If someone calls clock after a reasonable amount of time (reasonable is determinedby the host), start a 60 second timer on your phone. If they want to use their time bank chip it adds another 30/60/90 seconds, whatever increment you decide beforehand. Count down the last 10 seconds out loud.

If no decision is made by 0, it's a fold.

If your guy is still complaining he honestly doesn't have a leg to stand on. You've more than accommodated him

This is gold. Thank you

 

[ValueTown]

Update to my thoughts. Tournament, then I've seen folks try to run time down on smaller stacks. BS move for a friend's game.