Best Poker Tournament Clock Apps and Tools in 2026

A comparison of poker tournament clock apps for running blind timers. What to look for, free options, and how modern clock apps integrate with chip count tracking.

April 6, 2026

Every poker tournament needs a clock — a timer that tracks the current blind level, displays the blinds and antes, and counts down to the next level change. The clock keeps the tournament moving and makes sure everyone knows the current stakes.

What a poker tournament clock does

At its most basic, a tournament clock:

  • Shows the current blind level (small blind / big blind / ante)
  • Counts down the time remaining in the current level
  • Advances to the next level automatically
  • Displays break information

Better clocks also show:

  • Players remaining and average stack
  • Next level preview
  • Prize pool and payout structure
  • Time elapsed

Free poker clock options

Blinds Are Up — Popular free app for iOS and Android. Clean interface, customizable structures. Works well for home games.

Poker Clock Pro — Another solid free option. Supports multiple tournament templates. Ad-supported.

Browser-based clocks — Several websites offer free poker clocks that run in your browser. Good for displaying on a laptop or TV screen. No install needed.

Phone timer — In a pinch, a basic phone timer set for your level duration works. You just need to manually track which level you’re on and what the blinds are.

For most home games and small tournaments, any free clock app gets the job done.

Clock vs. chip count tracking

A tournament clock handles blind timing. Chip count tracking handles player stacks and leaderboards. They solve different problems.

The clock tells the table: “We’re at the 200/400/50 level with 8 minutes left.”

Chip count tracking tells your followers: “You’re in 3rd place with 145,000 chips, up 40% from the last update.”

Some players confuse tournament clocks with chip count tracking. A clock doesn’t know how many chips you have, where you rank, or who’s been eliminated. Chip count tracking doesn’t manage blind levels or timing.

The best tournament setup uses both: a clock on a screen visible to the table, and chip count tracking on each player’s phone for the leaderboard.

What to look for in a tournament clock

Customizable structures — You should be able to set starting blinds, level duration, ante introduction, and break schedules.

Display quality — The clock needs to be readable from across the room. Large fonts, high contrast, minimal clutter.

Sound alerts — An audible chime when the level is about to change and when it changes. Especially important in noisy home games.

Pause functionality — You’ll need to pause for bathroom breaks, food delivery, disputes, and other interruptions.

Templates — Save your favorite structures so you don’t rebuild them every time.

Displaying the clock

TV or monitor — Connect a laptop to a TV and display the clock in full screen. This is the most professional setup and works great for home games with 2+ tables.

Tablet — An iPad or Android tablet propped up on the table. Good for single-table tournaments.

Phone — Works but the screen is small. Better than nothing, worse than a TV.

Projector — For larger venues. Project the clock onto a wall or screen visible to all tables.

Running a tournament without a dedicated clock

If you don’t have a clock app, you can still run a tournament:

  1. Write the blind structure on a piece of paper
  2. Set a phone timer for the level duration
  3. When it goes off, announce the new blinds and reset the timer
  4. Keep track of which level you’re on

This works fine for casual home games. But once you’ve used a proper clock app, you won’t go back — the automation saves mental overhead and keeps the game running smoothly.

Combining clock and chip tracking

The ideal tournament setup:

  • Clock on a screen — Everyone can see the current level and time remaining
  • Chip count tracking on phones — Players submit their counts and the leaderboard updates live
  • Leaderboard on a second screen (optional) — Display the live leaderboard alongside the clock for spectators and eliminated players

This combination gives you the full tournament experience: structured blind timing, live stack tracking, and a professional leaderboard — whether you’re running a home game or a 200-player event.