As the blinds continue to rise, so do the sizes of the pots. And when the added pressure of the 30-second clock is incorporated, it can lead to some very high-pressure situations, often leaving players with little or no time to make important decisions.
An example of this occurred just now at table 27, where we started watching a hand that was already in progress. On the board was 
, and there were two players in the hand: Filip Pettersen and Tony Tran. At stake was a huge pile of chips, impossible to count from our vantage point, but easily 350,000 or more.
Tony had raise 50,000 on the flop, and Filip had shoved over the top all in for another 225,000. Tony had to use his initial 30 seconds, then used up both of his last two 30 second chits, maxing out his time. In the end, the dealers buzzer buzzed and Tony was forced to fold.
However, patience is key in poker, and Tony is no stranger to the game. The winner of the WPT $5,000 No Limit Hold’em Bounty Scramble Main Event in Jacksonville just two weeks ago, Tony is an agile competitor and a force to be reckoned with.
