Playing with Time Banks
Written by: Scott Lum
This week, I played in the PokerStars Manila Super Series tournament, which had a strict 20-second decision time per action. When it was a player’s turn, the dealer started a 20-second countdown clock. If you didn’t act before time expired, a buzzer sounded, and your hand was folded.
At the start of the tournament, each player received three 20-second time bank cards, which could be used to extend your decision time. Once you used all three, you had no more extensions.
Playing in a time bank format presents unique challenges that we don’t often face in our regular tournaments. Here are some key adjustments to make when competing in larger events with time banks:
1. Make Routine Decisions Quickly
Most preflop decisions—such as raising, 3-betting, and calling 3-bets—can be made quickly if you’ve studied preflop range charts. Knowing your ranges ahead of time allows you to act swiftly and save your time banks for more complex spots.
2. Profile Opponents Early
Pay close attention to how your opponents play from the start. Watch their tendencies and take note of hands they show down. If someone is raising frequently, they likely have a much wider range than a tighter player who only enters pots only with strong hands.
By accurately profiling opponents early, you’ll be able to anticipate their tendencies, making future decisions faster—especially when facing reraises or aggression.
3. Save Your Time Banks for Critical Moments
Most players use their time banks when facing aggression and needing to think through the hand. Another key spot to save them for is bubble play or tournament decisions as you go deeper, where mistakes can be costly.
During the tournament I played, I made it to the final table, where decisions became even more critical. Some players burned two or more time banks at a time in tough spots, using them strategically to make the best possible decision.
4. Manage Your Time Banks Efficiently
If you think you might need multiple time banks for a decision, throw your stack of time bank cards forward at once. The dealer will take a card when needed and return the unused ones.
I saw several players waste focus time by searching for their time bank cards, tossing them one at a time, and getting distracted. Eliminate that extra mental load—place your stack out front and keep your attention on the hand.
5. Recognize the Meaning Behind Time Bank Usage
When opponents burn a time bank, it can often reveal important information.
- Using a time bank before calling a big bet is understandable—they’re thinking through the hand carefully.
- Using a time bank before making a big raise or all-in move is more polarized—it can indicate either a monster hand or a big bluff. Some players deliberately take extra time appear weak, only to then come over the top with aggression.
During my tournament, I saw this tactic used for both strong value hands and bluffs. Paying attention to how opponents use their time banks can give you valuable insights.
Managing Time Banks in Multi-Day Tournaments
In the event I played, the tournament spanned two days. We received three time banks on Day 1 and another three on Day 2. Any unused time banks from the first day carried over to the next day, so players who saved them had an advantage when decisions mattered most.
Final Thoughts
While smaller local tournaments may not use time banks, it’s important to prepare for them as we start playing bigger events, such as those in Vegas. The faster pace forces adjustments, and having a strategy for time management can give you an edge.
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