A controversial hand deep in the 888poker LIVE Madrid Main Event has set the internet alight and raised questions about the use of shot clocks when deep in the money.
Controversy at the 888 Madrid. Player 3bets from SB but it is ruled that he was timed out.
Did he announce raise in time? If so, I didn’t hear it. Nor did I hear dealer give 10 sec warning.
Does a moment like this (when a ruling is needed) make shot-clocks self-defeating? pic.twitter.com/f614PnHqPB
— 🃏 David Lappin 🃏 (@dklappin) January 20, 2025
Irish pro David K. Lappin’s tweeted explanation offers the basics of the story, which occurred with three players battling it out for €134,000 worth of prizemoney, some €62k up top.
Angel Perez’s button raise with K♦ 6♣ was eventually met by a 3-bet from Alvaro Murciano holding A♣ 9♠ in the small blind. The dealer, however, ruled he had made the raise too late.
Claiming the shot clock had expired before the chips were put in the middle, the dealer also stated she had given the Spanish player both 10 second and 5 second warnings.
Murciano claims he didn’t hear either of the warning and the audio in the clip above seems inconclusive at best.
“He announced it,” said commentator Nik Wealthall of the raise, unhappy that the shot clock – designed to speed up play – was now dragging things out unnecessarily.
“Oh my god, we really don’t have to [check the tapes] surely we can just go by intent?”
Floor rules against player
However, the floor disagreed and eventually Murciano’s bet had to be taken back and play continued.
On X/Twitter, Swiss pro Andreas Froehli chimed in:
You can hear the dealer in the clip, but not the player – I dislike this situation since there seems to be favoritism quite regularly. Would be fine with letting action stand bc he clearly counted it out/intention was 'in time'
— Andreas Froehli (@AndreasFroehli) January 20, 2025
…while ACR player/streamer Travis T. wrote:
“Shotclock is not without issues. Sure, better dealers make it work more. Overall, though, they make the experience better and fairer. There is a clock, keep an eye on it (especially if you have no timebanks left). IF it’s ruled you announced raise, min is the usual ruling.”
Curiously, after all the palaver was over, Perez (not at fault in the hand at all) would fall in 3rd when his pocket queens were cracked by Ian Simpson holding the K6 (though suited this time). Simpson would go on to take the title.
Shot clocks and timebanks
Shot clocks, a standard since the inception of online poker, have only been part of the live poker scene for the past decade. Various versions were introduced by different operators but all were designed to speed up the game and stop stalling.
Certain players and some specific situations (approaching the bubble being the main one) often saw play slow to a crawl. Previously (and still in many places and events) the clock would have to be called on excessive tanking.
Timebanks were also added to the concept, allowing players to have deeper thinks if the situation required it. The rules for the 888poker LIVE series states that “All events will be played with… Shotclock of 30 sec from day 2,” but does not make mention of timebanks.
Should the bet have been allowed to stand? Was the dealer correct? Let us know what you think on our social media?
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