What exactly does "time" mean?

[whorasaurus]

it means the floor is coming over shortly to sic the clock on yo' ass.

[dizzle98]

It does not mean the player is calling the clock. I believe OP is saying the person who's action it is is saying "time" which is an indication they are thinking. They are saying it and the dealer is repeating it so that everyone is clear on where the action is and what's going on.

[goofyballer]

[ QUOTE ]
I believe OP is saying the person who's action it is is saying "time" which is an indication they are thinking.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, sorry I didn't word that more clearly. It's the player whose turn it is to act saying it.

[DJ Sensei]

I think it has something to do with running and running to catch up with the sun. Unfortunately, its sinking.

[pfapfap]

As was stated, it's a quick way for a player to say, "yes, I know the action is on me, I'm thinking for a second, please bear with me," without distracting the player or being unnecessarily verbose. The dealer repeats it as an acknowledgment to the player that it was heard, and to let the rest of the table know that action is paused and they shouldn't all start to act out of turn.

Keeping a low stakes game running smoothly can sometimes be like herding a bunch of 4-year-olds while chasing after housecats. Since nobody is sure who hears what, if you're taking time to make your decision, please say "time"... especially if you find the dealer is constantly staring at you or reminding you that it's your action, or if people are frequently skipping your action. And ESPECIALLY if you're wearing sunglasses and are prone to use those subtle balla hand-gestures.

[Gonso]

It's also to prevent problems when people start acting after you by accident

[I.Rowboat]

[ QUOTE ]
It's also to prevent problems when people start acting after you by accident

[/ QUOTE ]

This is precisely the reason why people say "time." AFAIK, it goes back to the original Gardena card rooms, and is insurance against people angleshooting you by mucking their hands out of turn before you have a chance to act, and thus killing your action. Many of the games used to be player-dealt (!), and with no professional center dealer to keep things in line and a bunch of rough characters, all sorts of things are possible.

[ZPinhead]

I have also hear (and have used) 'Time' as a 'Time out' indication when I believe action should stopped for some reason. An example is where I am ponder my hand (in a limit game) for a few seconds and players after me continue to act (fold). Also if I see some kind of action that I don't beleive is right and I think that everyone should stop for a second (especially with a weak dealer) to figure out what is going on.

Calling a clock on someone (over glorified with TV tournament poker) would involve terms like 'can I get a clock on him?' and should never be used in a live game situation (IMHO)

[Rick Nebiolo]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
It's also to prevent problems when people start acting after you by accident

[/ QUOTE ]

This is precisely the reason why people say "time." AFAIK, it goes back to the original Gardena card rooms, and is insurance against people angleshooting you by mucking their hands out of turn before you have a chance to act, and thus killing your action. Many of the games used to be player-dealt (!), and with no professional center dealer to keep things in line and a bunch of rough characters, all sorts of things are possible.

[/ QUOTE ]

In Gardena the little old lady poker players would even shout "time" when reaching into their handbags to pay a cashier at the grocery store.

~ Rick