Calling for clock

[Luca P.]

hello folks.
I've run into some problems in a tourney I was directing:
problem was that when a player was facing a decision, another one after 10 seconds called for the clock.
I feel like it's not that polite that a player calls for a clock, so I decided that after a reasonable amount of time has passed, i would do that.

Can we (or our floormen) intervene doing this?

[Stuart Murray]

Hi Linker,

The first question I ask when I arrive at a table is "Has a reasonable amount of time passed?" which should be also proportionate to the structure in use, for example 2 minutes is fine at the WSOP Main Event, but in a Turbo 15minute event it is not. If the majority of the table agrees a reasonable amount of time I will impose anything from 20 seconds (including the countdown) to 60 seconds (again including the countdown) and again proportionate to the structure in use.

Our rules allow ANYONE, at the table, player, dealer and floor staff to call/impose a clock.  The TDA rules do not specify who can call a clock, but I feel it is essential for a floor person to have that authority.

Regards
Stuart

[Nick C]

Stuart,
 That was a real good answer. Two minutes is ridiculous. How can a rule be so vague and then once the clock is called for, it gets calculated to the second! I like your rule better than the one on the books.

[Luca P.]

stuart,
thank you for the answer, that was extremely precise.

[Stuart Murray]

Cheers Nick and Linker, I have actually revised it last week, in lieu of the reworded TDA version being published, it now looks like this for our next league release of ratified rules:

26 Calling for a Clock - Once a reasonable amount of time has passed and a clock is called for, a player will be given a maximum of one minute to make a decision. If action has not been taken before time expires, there will be a 10-second countdown followed by a declaration to the effect that the hand is dead. If the player has not acted before the declaration, the hand is dead.  Anyone at the table, including the dealer and floor staff may call the clock. Imposed clock times should be proportionate to the structure, for example a 15 minute level should result in no longer than a 30 second clock.

Regards
Stuart

[Luca P.]

I thought nobody but the floorman (and eventually  the TD) could call for a clock.
In my opinion, to prevent from abusing the use of it, I definitively would warn who abuses it, and if necessary, also give a penality.

[Spence]

The rule at Stu's place is pretty complete I just thought I'd post the one we use as well.

36.Calling for Clock Procedure: Players must be at their seats to call time. Once a reasonable amount of time has passed and a clock is called, a player will be given one (1) minute to act. If action has not been taken by the time the minute has expired, there will be a ten (10) second countdown. If a player has not acted on his hand by the time the countdown is over, the hand will be dead. Tournament Supervisors have the right to speed up the amount of time allotted for a clock if it appears that a player is deliberately stalling. Any player intentionally stalling the progress of the game will incur a penalty. Any abuse of the “Clock Rule” will result in a penalty.

[Nick C]

I like Stuart's rule much better than others I've seen. Any person at the table should be able to call for a clock because one minute  and ten seconds is too much time to begin with. "s___ or get off the pot." Nothing like stalling a game especially when getting close to the bubble. Once again; how do we define a resonable amount of time? What happens when floorpersons are addressing other issues at other tables?