Explanation of Tank
Historically, the phrase 'time bank' was shortened to 'tank', and now it is commonly used to refer to a player who is taking an extensive amount of time to come to a conclusion about a move, regardless of whether they actually activated their time bank. For instance, one might say, 'we bet on the river and then the opponent tanked for a significant period before ultimately folding.'
While live poker typically does not have a formal time bank, many venues have begun implementing strategies to curb excessive delays and avoid unnecessary theatrics when players make their choices.
In a live poker environment, if a participant is taking too long to make their decision, other players have the option to summon the floor staff. The floor person may then introduce a timer to ensure decisions are made in a timely fashion. Moreover, certain live tournaments are experimenting with time tokens, where players must forfeit a token if they wish to extend their decision-making time beyond the usual limits.
Example of Tank in a Sentence -> The opponent tanked on the river for several minutes before finally giving up their hand.
Incorporating Tank into Your Poker Strategy
For those playing online, everyone is allotted the same time banks, and there's no harm in taking the time needed to weigh options. When faced with an opponent who may not analyze situations as deeply, we can often gain an edge simply by utilizing this free resource wisely.
In live poker settings, it’s crucial to strike a balance. While we should feel empowered to take the necessary time for our decisions, we must also show consideration and respect for our fellow players. Overly prolonged tanking is often frowned upon and can even be perceived as an angle shoot in certain instances.
Conversely, while patience is important with players who are tanking , it’s essential to feel justified in calling the floor if we sense that someone is pushing the limits.
See Also
Angle , Cash Game , Tournament , Slowroll , Time Bank