For non free tables, it would be cool if game duration started counting up when you officially started the game. There could be a display which looked like,
Total duration of table, 1 minute 20 seconds.
Game duration, 25 seconds.
Or something like that.

Have you actually tried this command on "Non free tables?"

I have. I notice now that it resets when you start the game, but it still counts up anyway (until you start) so this suggestion is still valid.