Stall Play?

Ok, I call it Stall Playing because it isnt Slow Playing, rather just playing slow. But I am wondering what you guys/gals think about it.

In a MTT, like say a 2700 player freeroll, I see alot of players takeing up all their time and/or timeing out alot. Ofcourse it is to give the players at other tables a chance to drop out. But I have a couple questions about this.

1. Do you think it is a good strategy? If yes, when is the best time to use it? Should you always do it, or just when you have a decent stack? If you are short stacked should you be as quick as you can so you can play lower blinds? Early, mid, bubble time, or late in a tourney. Ect.

2. Do you think it is a bad strategy for a turbo tourney? Giving that the blinds increase so much faster. If multiple people at the same tabel are doing it, you could see the blinds increase a couple times before your on the BB again.

3. Ethical or not? Im not saying we should bad mouth people for doing it or not doing it. Only, in your own opinion is it ok thing to do it?


Thanks in advance for any input on this subject.
GL at the tables.

I dont personaly try to hold up the whole table during a game, but I never click on the check fold button on the screen. I try to make every move I make take the same amount of time. Call me crazy but I think it masks some stratagy a little

I believe most folks who do this are just trying to make it ITM, & that should not be one's goal.

ive seen this done a lot of times by short stacks on the bubble of the money in MTTs. Although it sometimes proves effective, youre basically putting a target on your back because the other players will give you crap and will be looking to take you out since youre holding everyone up.

Would not recommend for turbo, and as to if its ethical - id say no on general principle.

JD Dirty said:

I try to make every move I make take the same amount of time. Call me crazy but I think it masks some stratagy a little

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I tried that, but then I noticed when I was a bit slower it seemed to give something away. So I changed to mirroring the oponents time. We must be thinking the same thing.:icon_scra Or something like that. One guy noticed it, seemed to annoy him.


Thanks for the replies about the Stall Tactics. I usually try not to hold up the table as well. Although there are times when I like it that other do.

I just laugh to myself when someone does that near the bubble, and especially when it's hand-for hand (at which point stalling is totally useless, but some folks still do it). Though I fully advocate using all your alooted time if necessary, if I see a player at my table timing out on every decision on every hand for multiple orbits, I usually report them. Call me an ass, but I find that sort of thing against the cause of ethical fair play, and quite unacceptable. There are exceptions, such as if I see "player123 has been disconnected" or something. Or the player lets the player know he might be taking a bit if tiume for whatever reason in the chat box.

1) Stalling a little while you have a mid stack near the bubble is ok at times, as it lets the little guys bust themselves out or makes the larger stack impatient and make mistakes. But be sure not to do it too obviously or often or else you find yourself with a big target on your back.

2) Definitly

3) Read the above paragraphs

DogzBestFrnd said:

"You cant put a porcupine in a barn, set it on fire and expect to make liquorish."

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That has got to be the strangest sig tag I've ever seen

I see some folks REALLY milking the clock and it gets quite aggravating. Some people have a way to appear to have disconnected, get the free minute, and show back up... regularly!

Simply always waiting until your time is up may be a bit rude but I don't see it as unethical. JMO

LOL I used it once.. it was my one and only adventure playin in the 50/50 on Full Tilt it made me $260.00. So yes it works. Had Moorman1 at my table he was pissed along with everyone else at the table. They even posted my OPR stats and made fun of my buyins at the time. I was only playin online poker for about a month at the time so off course my stats were horrible.. They have since improved alittle.. Still cracks me up...