A shot clock in poker is a timer used to limit how long a player has to act on their hand. It’s designed to speed up the game and prevent excessive tanking (taking too long to make a decision), especially in live tournaments and high-stakes events.
When a shot clock is in use, players typically have around 20 to 30 seconds to make their move. If they don’t act in time, their hand is automatically folded—unless they use a time extension chip or card, which gives them a few extra seconds for tough spots.
Shot clocks help maintain pace, fairness, and viewer engagement—which is why they’ve become standard in many televised and high-level games.
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