The 2026 WSOP Main Event final table begins live on ESPN on Monday, August 3, and viewers could be in for some lengthy tanks after the WSOP announced it will not use shot clocks at the final table.
Shot clocks were introduced for the first time on Day 7 of this year's Main Event after a player tanked for 17 minutes on Day 6 while hoping to ladder one more pay jump. With no player willing to call the clock, the WSOP floor eventually stepped in.
Lee Jones argued that the players were effectively colluding to steal equity from the rest of the field. The WSOP subsequently decided it had to act, announcing at the start of Day 7 that shot clocks would be used.
No more shot clocks
On Thursday, the WSOP announced on X: "Main Event Final Table Rules Update. After discussions with players and tournament staff, we’ve made the collective decision not to use a shot clock at next week’s WSOP Main Event Final Table."
It said players could call the clock and that it reserved the right to re-introduce shot clocks if needed.
The decision changes the dynamic for both the players and the television broadcast. Without a shot clock, players are free to take as much time as they feel they need in huge ICM spots, although opponents can still call the clock if they believe a player is taking too long.
Shaun Deeb, who finished 15th in this year's Main Event, supported the introduction of shot clocks on Day 7. After Thursday's announcement, he argued players who had deliberately saved timebank cards for the final table had effectively been disadvantaged.
— shaun deeb (@shaundeeb) July 31, 2026
Ray Henson made the same point. However, the WSOP said the decision was made after discussions with the players. We don't know whether all nine finalists supported removing the shot clock, but if they did, those objections become largely moot. Greg Mueller did repost the WSOP's announcement.
Wsop fumbled every step of the way. Adding then taking away was so bad. What if someone with 10-12 left was saving banks for ft and rushed to a decision thinking they would be better to save one for the ft and made wrong decision and busted. Should have told them ahead of time
— Ray Henson (@Ray_Henson) July 31, 2026
Faraz Jaka: I hate shot clocks on televised final tables
Others were less concerned about the shot clock itself and more about changing tournament rules midway through the event.
Derek Kwan posted to say that the decisions by the WSOP seem "chaotic." And Jamie Weinstein agreed, saying that while he doesn't want to see a shot clock on the final table, he doesn't agree with switching rules mid-tournament.
The only thing I actually hate is how so many decisions seem reactive and unplanned. It’s chaotic.
— Derek Kwan (@kwansfull) July 31, 2026
I have nothing against not having the shot clock on the final table. However, I am very much against changing the rules in the middle of a tournament for any reason.
— Jamie Weinstein (@WallStPoker) July 31, 2026
Not everyone opposed the move.
Adam Schwartz is a big fan of the WSOP's decision. He said that watching players wrestle with decisions while playing for life-changing money is part of what makes the WSOP Main Event unique.
Love it!
— Adam Schwartz (@ASchwartzPoker) July 31, 2026
The main event FT is a unicorn in poker
Average Joes winning generational wealth, the drama from each decision is compelling to me as a viewer and watching them wrestle with hellish ICM spots makes it super fun
Having them up against a 30 second clock was terrible imo
Tom Robison argued the decision could make the broadcast difficult to watch. However, it's worth remembering that the WSOP Main Event final table had never previously used shot clocks, and those broadcasts have still produced some of poker's most memorable broadcasts.
Jeff Metzner said that he finds it hard to believe that ESPN "is thrilled about this." We find it harder to believe that this was done without discussions with ESPN. And, as Faraz Jaka points out, "I hate it for televised final table. It kills all the talking and banter during hands."
Hard to imagine that ESPN is thrilled about this.
— Jeff Metzner (@jmetzner) July 31, 2026
I’m a fan of shot clocks at some points in the tournament but I hate it for televised final table. It kills all the talking and banter during hands.
— Faraz Jaka (@FarazJaka) July 31, 2026
Even final few tables not necessary imo as long as floor just makes sure one table is not playing way slower than the other.
The debate is unlikely to end before cards are in the air on Monday. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
The 2026 WSOP Main Event final table will be broadcast live on ESPN from August 3-5. Play begins at 9pm ET on August 3 and 4, before the final three return at 10:30pm ET on August 5 to play down to a winner.
