To tank in poker means to take a long time thinking about your decision—whether it’s to call, raise, fold, or bet. The term comes from the phrase “in the tank,” like a boxer catching their breath and thinking things over.
Tanking isn’t necessarily bad—it usually means a player is facing a tough spot and wants to be careful. But if someone tanks too often or for too long, it can slow down the game and annoy others at the table.
In online poker, players are limited by a time bank, which starts ticking when the normal decision time runs out. In live games, there’s no clock (unless the event is timed), so players can tank longer—though there’s usually social pressure to keep things moving.
Tanking is part of serious poker—just don’t overdo it. A well-timed pause is smart. A constant delay? That’s just dragging the game.
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