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The WSOP’s decision to scrap the shot clock ahead of the Main Event final table generated plenty of discussion among poker fans, but so far it hasn’t changed how the remaining nine players are approaching their hands.
Play began Monday evening on ESPN2 with 22-year-old Lucas Jumalon holding a commanding chip lead, entering with roughly 129 big blinds after bagging Day 8 in July. He wasted little time applying pressure once the cameras started rolling.
Jumalon ran into resistance early when Michael Gagliano, one of the more seasoned players remaining, called down a big bluff with ace-high after the chip leader declined to fire a final barrel.
The shot clock, introduced starting Day 7, had required players to act within 20 seconds preflop and 30 seconds postflop or burn a time extension chip. Its use sparked criticism from some fans who felt the rule should have been in place from the tournament’s start rather than added midway through.
With the clock removed for the final table, which airs on ESPN2 and ESPN from August 3-5, there has been little tanking. Players have generally acted briskly in both preflop and postflop situations, a pace likely appreciated by the television audience.
Jumalon continues to hold a sizable lead, though he has missed some chances to win pots on boards that appeared to miss opponents’ hands. Meanwhile, contender Greg “FBT” Mueller has played sparingly, and short stacks Evagoras Evagorou and Han Feng have stayed cautious given the steep pay jumps still at stake.





