The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino of Hollywood, Florida has been playing host to the World Poker Tour Hard Rock Poker Showdown since the 31st of March. Game play has continued over the past few days with this Friday marking the beginning of the Showdown, which will have a $3,500 buy-in. While the tournaments are big news, it is the introduction of a shot clock that has been getting all the buzz. Later this month, the WPT will finally begin using an action clock which will help streamline game play.

Mike Sexton, a top poker pro and announcer for the World Poker Tour, has been calling for an action clock for some time. According to the poker pro, in more than 90% of poker hand decisions, the choice can be made within the time that will be offered on the action clock which makes the game more fun for the players, dealers and those watching.

With the new timing method, players will have five buttons giving them extra time, each worth 30 seconds to be used when they like, for example when their tournament life is on the line. For some time now, many poker pros have been calling for a shot clock to be added to major events. Back in November, the Final Table of the World Series of Poker was recorded and then shown on television, almost being unwatchable by fans because players took too long to act.

While some players are in favor of the action clock, others feel it takes away from the strategy of decision making, which in part can be making an opponent uncomfortable because they are having to wait.

With the upcoming events, players and fans will get to see just how quickly game play goes by after the action clock is implemented. The Showdown begins this Friday while the $10,000 World Poker Tour Hard Rock Poker Finale will begin on the 17th followed by the $25,000 high roller tournament set for the 19th.