More professional poker players are calling for a shot clock in all tournaments
Daniel Negreanu is renewing his call for stricter time controls in poker tournaments after the 2025 World Series of Poker drew criticism over repeated stalling tactics by players. During the Main Event and other WSOP events this summer, several players were accused of taking excessive time, particularly around money bubble situations and pay jumps, leading Negreanu to describe it as a “black mark on the game.”
Among those criticized were Martin Kabrhel and Will Kassouf, both known for slow play. Under current WSOP rules, players must take the initiative to call the clock if they feel someone is taking too long. If granted by the floor, a 30-second countdown is issued. Kassouf, after multiple infractions, had his clock reduced to 10 seconds per decision and was ultimately banned from the remainder of the WSOP after a heated exchange at the table.
Negreanu has long advocated for solutions to poker’s pacing problem. He pointed to golf as a comparable sport dealing with similar complaints. He referenced a recent incident involving Bryson DeChambeau, who suggested professional golfers should be timed for full rounds to curb slow play. Negreanu argued poker could benefit from the same mindset.
He could have been talking about poker.
Every sport deals with time differently, but all sports (and poker) need to have fair rules for all.
Using time to stall and suck equity away from others is a black mark on the game, and one day I hope chess clocks become a reality. https://t.co/re1elx9DJz
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) July 20, 2025
He’s been vocal about using chess clocks in tournaments, favoring a model that includes a short delay and a time increment. This system would encourage quicker decisions by rewarding players who act swiftly, while penalizing consistent slow play. He believes using time as a strategy to drain others’ equity undermines the integrity of the game.
Though action clocks have already been implemented in high-roller events at the WSOP, as well as on the World Poker Tour and Triton Poker Series, the broader WSOP fields still operate without one. Negreanu and others believe it’s time for a universal change, especially after this year’s controversies. Adding action clocks across the board could promote fairness and prevent tournaments from stalling unnecessarily.
