Stalling, that practice of deliberately consuming time to gain an advantage, is once again under discussion. This time the debate involves none other than Lucas Jumalon
Hammer said that during a previous WSOP Circuit stop he had to intervene at a table where players were upset with Jumalon. His table was about to break and the American was delaying his decisions trying to avoid paying the big blind.
The discussion, however, goes far beyond judging that specific behavior. Hammer clarified that he does not consider the world champion an angler and, in fact, revealed that Jumalon acknowledged having abandoned that practice after that conversation.
The real problem lies in the impact on the ecosystem.
Seeking a few extra equity points can be rational from a strictly competitive perspective. But when that advantage is gained by making seven or eight players wait for minutes, the equation changes. Especially when among them there are recreational players who paid an entry simply to play and have fun.
Justin Hammer is one of the most prestigious tournament directors on the global circuit.
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A reflection particularly relevant for Latin America
In markets where live poker is still seeking to grow, retain players, and build stable communities, a frustrating experience can be much more costly than a saved blind. Excessively slow tables, players tanking unnecessarily, and inconsistent rules can end up driving away precisely the audience that sustains the ecosystem.
That is why Hammer advocates for the shot clock. With a clock, everyone knows exactly how much time they have to act. If someone wants to spend their time banks trying to reach a payout jump or avoid a blind, they can do so, but within equal and transparent rules.
His argument can be summed up with a simple question: what would happen if everyone did the same?
If the answer is “the tournament would be unbearable,” there is probably something to fix.
For Latin poker, where attracting new players remains a constant battle, speeding up the tables is not just a regulatory issue. It can also be a growth strategy.
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By Justin Hammer on poker.org
