Poker aficionados, of the type who watch endless youtube hours of the exploits of Messrs. Negreanu, Hellmuth, Ivey, et al., doubtless would be invoking the headline hereof long before Judge David Gustafson does so.

Briefly to explain, at tournament hold ’em one has thirty (count ’em, thirty) seconds within which to fold, call or raise, at every turn. One has a limited number of cards, wherewith to buy a thirty-second extension. Players, of course, try to husband these, and stall until another player “calls the clock,” invoking the tournament staff to commence a final non-extendable thirty second extension.

Judge Gustafson finds that such a rule might be well-suited to the Ogden Sunseteers, whose lethargic ways have become commonplace. Here again is blower Richard E. Lacey II, Docket No. 9761-16W, filed 7/13/23.

Back in 2020, Judge Gustafson remanded Rich back to Ogden. The Sunseteers were careful as always not to strain themselves.

“In the more than three years since then, the WBO has been reviewing Mr. Lacey’s claim. On May 4, 2023, the WBO issued to Mr. Lacey a Preliminary Denial Letter. Mr. Lacey provided comments dated May 31, 2023. Given the age of this case, we expect that the WBO is giving prompt consideration to Mr. Lacey’s comments.” Order, at p. 1.

“Prompt consideration” in Judge Gustafson’s courtroom means the sooner of “(a) 30 days after the date on which the WBO issues a final ruling on Mr. Lacey’s claim, or (b) October 5, 2023.” Order, at p. 1.

I am surprised the Ogden Sunseteers didn’t invoke Mandy Mobley Li, the gift that keeps on giving, and claim “got nuttin’, go ‘way.”

But as Rich is hanging in there, it is as well that someone calls the clock.