Star’s Martin Coughlan: Shot clock series likely to become a regular addition to tournament calendar

With Star Poker having recently announced Australia’s first ever tournament series at which every event features a shot clock, PokerMedia Australia caught up with Star’s Group Poker Strategy Manager, Martin Coughlan, to discuss the upcoming QLD Shot Clock Super Stacks series and find out how this might shape the operator’s future tournament plans.

PokerMedia Australia: What can players expect from the recently announced QLD Shot Clock Super Stacks series?
Martin Coughlan: Players can look forward to a schedule designed to deliver an outstanding playing experience that’s accessible to everyone, from recreational players to seasoned touring pros. With 28 events on the lineup and buy-ins ranging from $350 to $2,000, we’ve built structures that we believe will appeal across the board. Every event features shot clocks and generous starting stacks, adding an extra layer of excitement. We hope players see this as a fantastic opportunity to enjoy great poker in one of the country’s premier poker rooms.

PMA: You have of course supplemented the shorter decision-making time by implementing larger starting stacks. How has this impacted structures?
MC: As part of the recent Star Poker Series, including WPT Australia and WSOP Circuit Gold Coast, we introduced new formats designed to enhance game play. Events like The Dominator with a 100K starting stack and the Super Stack with 75K have been extremely well received by players and this has now been extended across the Shot Clock Super Stacks Series. The Main Event features a $75K starting stack and 40-minute levels on Day 1 and 60 minutes from Day 2 onwards, giving players plenty of time to play good, strategic poker. The addition of shot clocks and time bank chips keeps the action moving and while the tournaments will naturally run a little longer with the larger stacks, the balance between pace and depth should create a positive playing environment. 

PMA: What were some of the main considerations when putting together the schedule of events given that all events will boast shot clocks and larger stacks?
MC: Our primary focus was to create a positive and exciting experience for players of all levels while offering ample opportunities to participate in this innovative series. This approach guided decisions around buy-in levels, starting stacks and blind structures, ensuring enhanced playing time without sacrificing pace. Shot clocks keep the action flowing, while time bank chips provide players with the flexibility they need for those critical decisions. 

PMA: Can you provide some details on time banks?
MC: With a variety of structures on the schedule, from satellites to single-day and multi-day events, the allocation of time bank chips has been tailored accordingly. Satellites will not include time banks, while one-day events provide an initial allocation at the start of play, with a reset once the final table is reached. For multi-day events, time banks are issued at the start of play, then refreshed at the beginning of each subsequent day and again at the final table. This approach ensures players have the extra time they need for crucial decisions while maintaining a steady pace of play throughout the tournament.

PMA: How did the idea of running an entire shot clock series come about?

MC: There has been plenty of discussion around players slow-playing at crucial stages of a tournament, such as approaching the bubble or the next pay jump. While some players remain hesitant about shot clocks, the majority of conversations I’ve had recently have been strongly in favour of introducing them across most events. During the WPT Australia Festival in Sydney, I had multiple catch-ups with players who all highlighted the need for more shot clock events. That player feedback was the catalyst for creating the QLD Shot Clock Super Stack Series.

PMA: There was a lot of controversy around excessive tanking at the WSOP in Las Vegas last year. Did that play a role too?
MC: While strategies used by some players during WSOP Las Vegas to slow play for advantage highlighted the need for a solution, the main driver was feedback from players at our recent events. Many expressed a strong desire to reduce the impact of stalling and ensure fairness for all participants. 

PMA: Can you explain how the shot clocks will work from a practical sense? What is expected of dealers and of players in terms of ensuring each decision is made within the allotted time?
MC: Shot clocks have been part of tournament structures for several years and players are well familiar with how they work. Each event’s terms and conditions include the shot clock and time bank chip rules, and before play begins, the Tournament Director (TD) will announce the specifics such as time to act, number of time banks and the additional time they provide. The TD will also advise players of the following:

• When a bet or raise is made, the dealer will count and announce the amount before starting the clock for the next action. If a player calls, the clock resets for the next player.
• The dealer will notify players when the Shot Clock reaches 10 seconds remaining in tournaments and 5 seconds in satellites.
• To use a time bank chip, a player must pass it to the dealer, who will add the extra time to the Shot Clock.
• If the Shot Clock expires and the player still has time bank chips, the clock will automatically extend before the dealer collects the chip(s) at the end of the action.
• If the Shot Clock expires and no time banks remain, the player must either check (if no bet is pending) or fold (if facing a bet or raise).

This structure ensures clarity, fairness and consistency while maintaining the pace of play.

PMA: As you say, the early feedback from players since this series was announced seems to have been been largely positive, albeit with some uncertainty. What has the feedback been like on your side?
MC: The vast majority of player feedback has been positive so far, though we understand some players may prefer to wait and see how the series performs before deciding whether the inclusion of shot clocks across all events enhances the overall playing experience. We’ll be keen to hear player feedback during and after the series to ensure we continue delivering the best possible tournament experience.

PMA: Do you see this series becoming a regular feature on the Star Poker calendar?
MC: In short, yes, we do plan to continue this concept, but ultimately it will be guided by player feedback. To give players more opportunities to experience this format, Star Poker has scheduled the NSW Shot Clock Super Stack Series at The Star Sydney from 12 to 24 June. This series will allow Sydney players to engage with the innovative structure and share their thoughts on how it enhances the overall game experience.

PMA: The fact that Star is the first in APAC to introduce such a series shows that you are both paying attention to issues affecting the game and are willing to try new things. Are there other major innovations we can expect to see from Star in the future?
MC: Like most Australian operators, Star Poker is committed to delivering a positive player experience and continually looks for ways to achieve that. Listening to players is always our starting point, and we will keep acting on their feedback while staying informed about global trends. Our goal is to respond in the best interests of both the game and the players.