Time Bank

Time banks give players a reserve of extra seconds or minutes beyond the standard shot clock to use on difficult decisions, preventing the game from being unfairly rushed on close calls. Once a player's time bank is exhausted, they're typically required to act within the standard time limit or risk having their hand ruled dead.

Save your time bank for genuinely difficult, high-stakes decisions rather than burning it on routine folds or easy calls. In tournaments with shot clocks, understand how time bank chips are earned and replenished, since this varies by tour and platform. Watch how opponents use their time bank -- consistently burning it on certain streets or bet sizes can be a meaningful tell about hand strength. Don't let time bank pressure force you into a snap decision on a truly close spot; use the time you've been given when it matters.

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