Is using the entire time bank a legitimate strategy or disrespectful?

dariana Orasma · Mar 27, 2026

Look, I've been on both sides and my opinion has changed over the years. I used to think that anyone who used their time bank on the river without thinking was a jerk. Now, honestly, I do it all the time, but with my own moral code: I never use it to slow roll (wait intentionally to win). If I have the best hand on the river and my opponent has bet, I call or raise in less than 5 seconds. But if I'm in a tough spot, I take my time. I don't care if they think I'm acting. In the end, in online poker, the time bank is a resource like chips. If you get nervous because the other person is thinking, that's your problem, not mine. Where I do draw the line is at tournament tables with recreational opponents; there I try to be more agile so the experience is enjoyable for everyone, because without them, there's no game.

Mario7 · Mar 27, 2026

It is your right to use your time bank when you need it. This is what time bank is for.

M6O6U6 · Mar 27, 2026

My personal opinion.
It's perfectly valid to use the time bank when necessary. Poker is a game of information and decision-making under pressure — thinking isn't a crime.
But respect at the table matters. If you tank for 40-50 seconds every hand (even the easy ones), people will find you annoying, give you less action in the future, and the game becomes less fun for everyone. This affects your image at the table and, indirectly, your profit.

BillyR23 · Mar 27, 2026

Live I have encountered some situations where I had some issues with players taking (IMO) unreasonable amount of time to make a decision(not just on the river), but online I think it's just fine to take your time when needed as sites usually offer a fixed time bank that isn't that 'crazy'... plus you have the ability to play multiple tables at the same time, which helps if some table/s are a bit slow...

Skot_Gy · Mar 28, 2026

It is a legitimate strategy, but using it every hand it s disrespectful. In my oppinion.

EarnDAStack · Mar 28, 2026

In general I don't think you should slow roll but I've done it on occasion.

Aside from that I don't really try and set out a strategy for how I use my time bank I just try and use it effectively. One thing I am curious about tho is how do you know you have the best hand so as to take less than 5 seconds of time bank? Pretty often when players are raising they have a hand, so why would you want to hurry up and not try and get the most value for all your hands. Are you doing the same 5 second time bank with your bluffs? That's pretty incredible if you are, a lot of why players time bank with good hands is to keep things the same for when they have to think deeply about whether or not they have a bluffing hand.

The two most common justified reasons for taking a lot of time to think are making a big bluff and making a big call, why would you want to eliminate you having a big bluff that should take you more than 5 extra seconds to come up with your entire bluffing range while figuring everything else you need to in a hand.

odonob · Mar 28, 2026

I hate it, slows up the game way too much. My biggest peeve about online games is the 60 second timebanks. Maximum time allowed should be 30 seconds. Especially in freeroll satellites where a lot of players are not even at the table.
Also 5 min rebuy and addon times. On 888 one often has to wait 8 minutes to play again when on the hour…the 5 min break, rebuy time and add on times added up, that’s too long a wait.

CaioRJ · Mar 28, 2026

Timebank is necessary to hidden your intections
A fast ou slower bet can explain you intection, so have a fixed time to beting.

tuitui · Mar 28, 2026

As long as time is used for thinking or for bluffing I don't think it is disrespectful.

DarkSage · Mar 30, 2026

None, whatever the reason it doesn't matter.
Every player is allowed to use a fixed amount of time and not a second more.
He can use it as he please, either strategy or just really thinking, its his right.

Another aspect to take in account is that many players participate in several tables at once, that might be the reason why he's taking so long too. Maybe he went to the bathroom, maybe he's talking on the phone, maybe he's watching something, or maybe he's just delaying on purpose, might be really anything.

All that's left for you is to be patient and wait your turn.

If a person is delaying on purpose is because he's trying to mess with you, don't let this kind of things take your focus from the game.
Dont' complaing about it, because you'll be stimulating the person to do more of it.

Sometimes the amount of time used will mean something, but its not a good strategy to take that as factor for your decisions, since you don't know the real reason behind the delay.

miklcct · Mar 30, 2026

I deliberately stall in satellites when I am short and the bubble is about to bust.

schtiuky · Mar 31, 2026

whatever helps you win and its allowed. since there is no interdiction...

Jyco · Mar 31, 2026

If it’s used to slowroll, then it’s obviously very disrespectful. But most of the time it’s used to think through a tough decision, or to stall in order to reach the money, or during a pay jump. So in general, it’s considered a legitimate strategy.

Gagner · Apr 1, 2026

Situations but I do it when I’ve got a tight bankroll and trying to get more cashes to play a little faster and lose. I find in the less then $10 MTT games people get annoyed and you can sit on big hands a bury them to get into the money. My only tip to this is you’ll see a lot of good cards you can’t get sucked into wait for your hand in position and joint the games around the 30m before cutoff.

skaterick · Apr 5, 2026

stall all you want online . you can use your time bank/clock as you like .

ztibor72 · Apr 5, 2026

Slow roll is the most annoying thing for me.
If it's necessary and someone takes advantage of the time bank, that's natural.
If someone keeps running their time, that's unsportsmanlike, and I think the poker rooms will sanction them if they report it.

Gagner · Apr 6, 2026

Yeah I agree with it being unsportsmanlike and you should be able to report them it’s also strategy I tend to get frustrated and tilted.

TheniT · Apr 6, 2026

Using your full time bank is a legitimate poker strategy, especially for tough decisions.
Top players like Daniel Negreanu use it in high-pressure spots.
It feels disrespectful if you stall constantly or in obvious, easy situations.
Best practice: take time when it matters, act quickly when it doesn’t.

dzsire · Apr 10, 2026

Not everyone has the same speed, this must be respected. But obviously, constantly using timebanks can be annoying. And of course, it's a good tactic when you're in the bubble and want to make money.

moraeskvmi · Apr 10, 2026

If it's within the rules, the game continues.

anasslaaleg · Apr 10, 2026

Using your entire time bank whether in chess, exams, or competitive settings is completely legitimate. It’s a resource given to you, and managing it wisely is part of the challenge. Taking extra time can lead to better decisions, fewer mistakes, and stronger outcomes.
That said, context matters. While it’s fair play, consistently dragging things out in obvious or already decided situations can come across as unsportsmanlike. There’s a balance between being thorough and being considerate.
In the end, it’s not about whether you can use all your time it’s about how and when you choose to use it.

machinm19 · Apr 11, 2026

This all depends on the situation, we could be near the money and short stacked so wasting time may be a necessity but lots of players do it every hand. When I'm fully locked in and present I also like to take my time so I see no issue with it personally.

ramdon p358 · Apr 11, 2026

If it happens every hand, I would consider it disrespectful, but if it's only done near the prizes, I would understand when a player does it.

KeyPatience · Apr 11, 2026

dariana Orasma said:
Look, I've been on both sides and my opinion has changed over the years. I used to think that anyone who used their time bank on the river without thinking was a jerk. Now, honestly, I do it all the time, but with my own moral code: I never use it to slow roll (wait intentionally to win). If I have the best hand on the river and my opponent has bet, I call or raise in less than 5 seconds. But if I'm in a tough spot, I take my time. I don't care if they think I'm acting. In the end, in online poker, the time bank is a resource like chips. If you get nervous because the other person is thinking, that's your problem, not mine. Where I do draw the line is at tournament tables with recreational opponents; there I try to be more agile so the experience is enjoyable for everyone, because without them, there's no game.

Legitimate!

burro · Apr 11, 2026

I think it depends a lot on the situation.
Managing time in difficult decisions is part of the game, especially at important moments. The problem comes when it becomes a habit to use all the time available for no real reason.
I've played at tables where that makes everything slower and a bit frustrating. So for me, it works well when it's really necessary, but overusing it seems disrespectful to other players.

Is using the entire time bank a legitimate strategy or disrespectful?

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