The Slowest Player in Poker?

I get 15 seconds in a $50 online tournament - this is the Main Event."

I'm just saying," Klodnicki continued. "You have to speed up your preflop actions. Otherwise, when you're in a big hand and you actually do need to think, I'm going to clock you after 15 seconds."

The two continue to pass the conversation back and forth as the next hand is dealt out. It comes to Cristos, and he pauses briefly after checking his cards. Klodnicki is clearly uncomfortable as he watches Cristos operate, and he bites his tongue for just a few seconds before he can't help it anymore. "Clock," he says after maybe 15 seconds."

If I have to keep coming over here, you're going to keep having your clock reduced, all the way down to zero. And then when I have to come over again, your hand is just dead."

See, that thing you're doing right there," Klodnicki started, "Squeezing your cards like that. What's going through your head? Are you trying to figure out how much to raise? What could you possibly be doing?"

I would be frustrated if I was sitting here watching me win all the pots and stuff, too."

DarryllFish RealKidPoker SavagePoker I acknowledge a lot of peers/elites disagree with me but that won't change who I am or how I operate,” tweeted Cristos, as well as “SavagePoker poker is a game of patience and I'm fine with making k's while they complain. #goodformygame #cameforme #tankingchangedmylife.”

Got it, you came for you. Got it, you see it as good for your game. Got it, you are gonna do you and not change at the community's request. Fair enough,” he continued, “but later you claim that we should all "respect the game and respect your tanks," but if you are unwilling to respect the structure and the other players, why would that warrant us respecting the fact that you are sabotaging the structures for the rest of us?”

RealKidPoker DarryllFish SavagePoker Ive never clocked anyone in my life cause I respect the community and the game. Get off ur horse KP.”

I clock people because I actually DO respect the community and the game!” Negreanu wrote in his piece. “You came for YOU, remember? You are focusing solely on what you think is best for you, and despite the community telling you that you are being excessive with your tanking, you ignore their pleas to have you act more quickly.”

You have every right to do that. It's extremely selfish and shortsighted, but for now, you have that right as we don't have a shot clock in poker.”

RealKidPoker DarryllFish SavagePoker so much hate for thinking thru decisions like everyone does when it's crucial. I don't get it.”

Let me try and explain it for you,” he began. “No one is saying that it's inappropriate to take your time when decisions are crucial. However, when you are under the gun, first to act, and go into the tank, most everyone agrees that this is crossing a line! When someone 4-bets you before the flop and you take more than 2 minutes to respond, most everyone agrees that this is excessive tanking.”

We can all agree that there is a line somewhere,” he states. “If a player took 20 minutes per decision, I would imagine even Jordan Cristos would think that is crossing the line? So there is a line, there has to be, and the vast majority in the poker community that Jordan Cristos claims to respect think he is crossing it far too often. He claims he isn't going to change. He has that right, but no sir, that will not earn the respect of the community.”

I have no problem with you personally,” wrote Negreanu, adding, “you seem like a really nice kid. Having said that, I vehemently disagree with it being OK for you to consistently take as much time as you wish to make decisions. In the future, when I call the clock on you repeatedly, it isn't personal. I'm just doing what's best for me, the structure, the other players at the table, the poker community, the broadcast, the fans, and ultimately YOU.”