Stalling in online supersatellites -- how can it be deterred?

[M.B.E.]

Here's an email I sent to PokerStars support:

Jacob,

Might I suggest that in the turbo sats, the time to act be reduced to 15
seconds. At the same time, time banks could be increased to 45 seconds. That
way if there really is a tough decision you would have time available, but you
couldn't stall on *every single hand* like some players do.

Also hand-for-hand should start much earlier in supersatellites. It seems weird
to me that you don't start it until one place before the money. I would say
that it should start at 25% of the seats before the money. For example, if
there are 28 seats being awarded, hand-for-hand should start when there are 35
players remaining (since 25% of 28 is 7).


--- PokerStars Support <support@pokerstars.com> wrote:
> Hello [M.B.E.],
>
> Thank you for writing about this matter. We value customer feedback
> and are always listening and responding to your concerns.
>
> Technically it is not against the rules to take up to the full 25
> seconds offered (35 seconds in tournaments) in which to act.
> However, if someone is regularly using the full amount of time to act
> for basic folding decisions, we will send them a non-binding request
> asking them to be more considerate, perhaps playing in fewer games or
> paying better attention to the game.
>
> Thank you for choosing PokerStars. Please do not hesitate to let us
> know any time you need anything.
>
> Regards,
>
> Jacob
> PokerStars Support Team

[La Brujita]

I completely agree with mbe that the problem needs to be fixed by reducing time to act. I feel it is stupid to send nonbinding letters asking for players to be considerate when they are acting in their interest (or at least so they believe) and completely within the rules.

The only problem with hand for hand is that at least on party it doesn't seem to do a great job of speeding up play, people seem to still stall not realizing they are getting no benefits.

I think a lot of my irritation comes from how quickly money becomes super shallow in tournaments, which in a way is not related to this problem but in a way is.