The 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) has been filled with jaw-dropping moments, but one topic that dominated the conversation was the issue of stalling. Renowned Canadian poker legend and seven-time WSOP bracelet winner, Daniel Negreanu, has become the most vocal critic of this unsportsmanlike tactic that many players resort to, especially during critical pay jumps.
In his Daily WSOP Vlogs, Negreanu didn’t hold back, calling out players like Martin Kabrhel, Will Kassouf, and Ike Haxton for deliberately stalling during key moments in the Main Event. Negreanu described stalling as “a black mark on the game” and has now become the face of a movement calling for a crackdown on this strategy.
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The Stalling Controversy: A Slow Play Epidemic
Stalling has become a thorn in the side of poker’s integrity. During the WSOP Main Event, the issue reached new heights, with Kabrhel and Kassouf deliberately slow-playing to gain an unfair advantage. As pay jumps loomed, these players took their sweet time making each decision, attempting to outlast their opponents without risking elimination.
Kassouf, in particular, became infamous for his antics, repeatedly dragging out his turns until tournament officials were forced to put him on a 10-second countdown for every action. This led to an explosive confrontation, which ultimately resulted in Kassouf’s banishment from the series after his elimination.
Negreanu’s criticism is rooted in the belief that this behavior harms the integrity of the game, turning poker into a painfully slow and unfair experience for all involved.
Why Daniel Negreanu Wants Change
This isn’t the first time Negreanu has spoken out about issues plaguing poker. Last year, he called for a ban on face coverings and sunglasses, arguing that they give certain players an unfair advantage by obscuring their emotions. Now, his focus has shifted to stalling, a practice he believes damages the essence of poker.
In a passionate social media exchange, Negreanu took aim at Bryson DeChambeau, a professional golfer who suggested that timing entire rounds could speed up the pace of play in golf. Negreanu saw this as an opportunity to voice his opinion on the stalling issue, responding with a tweet that resonated with poker fans around the world:
“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.”
Negreanu made it clear that he doesn’t just want to point fingers—he wants a solution. He strongly believes that a chess clock system could be the answer to curbing stalling and ensuring fair play at the poker table.
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The Chess Clock Revolution: A Time to Act!
What exactly is the chess clock system, and why does Negreanu support it? Chess clocks have two models: delay and increment.
- Delay System: The clock starts counting down only after a set delay (e.g., five seconds). It penalizes slow play, but it doesn’t reward fast play.
- Increment System: After every move, a set amount of time (e.g., five seconds) is added back to the player’s clock. This model encourages quick play by rewarding fast decision-making and penalizing stalling.
Negreanu has expressed a preference for the increment model, arguing that it would not only discourage stalling but also incentivize swift, strategic play. Under this system, the players who keep the game moving will be rewarded with more time, creating a more dynamic and enjoyable experience for all participants.
Conclusion: The Call for Fair Play
As the poker community continues to grapple with the issue of stalling, Daniel Negreanu stands firm in his belief that fair rules are essential to preserving the integrity of the game. He calls for a system that discourages time-wasting, promotes quick decision-making, and rewards skill over stalling tactics.
Negreanu’s push for the introduction of chess clocks may just be the beginning of a broader change. As we look ahead to 2026, there’s a good chance that this revolution in poker time management will gain momentum, ensuring that the game remains exciting, fast-paced, and fair for all players involved.
Better Poker News — Stay tuned for more updates on the chess clock revolution and other poker news.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is “stalling” in poker?
Stalling refers to deliberately taking an extended amount of time to make a decision during a poker hand, often to gain an advantage or delay the game, especially during pay jumps.
- Why does Daniel Negreanu criticize stalling?
Negreanu believes that stalling is detrimental to the game, turning poker into a slow and unfair experience. He advocates for fair play and faster-paced action, which he feels is essential to preserving the integrity of poker.
- What is a chess clock, and how can it improve poker?
A chess clock is a time-management system that can be applied to poker, with either a delay or increment model. The increment system, which rewards fast play by adding time back after each move, could help reduce stalling and promote a quicker, more dynamic pace at the table.