I played no limit holdem with some business partners. Well, one hand came down to two players, player A and player B. Before the river, player A was hoping back then for a flush with clubs in the pocket and two on the table. Player B was already committed to pocket with QQ. River card came and good for player A as he got his flush. Suddenly, without betting or even checking, he showed his cards. A keen observer who was around since the start of the game said that he mucked. Later, he admitted his mistake that he had forgotten however everyone at the table believed then it was a muck. What do you think? And if in case no one went all in, what will be the verdict?

Thanks!

Schultz
Schultz,

This was not a muck. He just prematurely showed his hand. Action could continue as normal, but the other player would have added information.

I oftentimes play at casinos. Well, there’s actually one thing I notice, players there usually show their hand to the player sitting next to them or to other players around. At first, I don’t mind, however, as of now I find such kind of practice not helpful at all, most especially to the player who showed his hand.

Tomorrow, I’ll be going to the casino to play and I don’t know what to do. I’m bothered and I definitely want to do something about the practice I have discovered. However, I don’t want to look as if I’m mingling with the affairs of the room or the casino though I’m not in the position to do that.

In your own opinion, is the practice I’ve come to discover legal and ethical?

And another thing, can you help me with my problem about mucked hands. Right now, I still don’t know when to show my hand. Say we’re actually on the river and then I bet and so you called. I believe I have to show my hand then, but am I right for saying that I don’t have the right to see your hand because I’m the bettor? What’s your thoughts on this? And is it true that all players who called a river are obliged to show their hands at the end, and then a player will reveal his hand and then other players will just muck as they know they can’t win eventually? Any idea?

I hope to hear from you soon.

Thank you so much!

All the best,
Jon Lewis
Jon,

This is not an illegal practice as long as the players are not in the hand. However, you may request the dealer show everyone the hand since they showed the hand to other players.

A player that calls your bet at the end has the right to see your hand. If you muck your hand, they can request it be shown. In showing down hands, the player that makes the last aggressive action should be the one to show his hand first. In the event both players check down the hand, then the player closest to the button must show first.

At a local casino yesterday, I played at a 3/6 limit holdem table. I remember I had K 10 unsuited then. Flop came and was K Q 10, rainbow. At some point, I was confident having my 2 pair because I was the one who started the betting and another thing, no one raised me. Of course, later on, turn came and was an A. Betting came and many players were eliminated, two players were left, me and another guy. Then the river came and was a Jack. On the board then was a A-high straight, unfortunately, no hope for a flush. I placed a bet then and he raised. After few seconds, I called him. Revelation time came and he showed an A and a 10. I didn’t revealed my cards then however pushing them while looking down the common cards. I then said “my best hand is on the table”.

In the end, the pot was given to the other guy because the dealer insisted that my cards were mucked. I don’t totally agree with the dealer yet I believe I can’t do anything more about it.

Any advice or thoughts about what happened?

Thanks a lot!

Mike Lewis
Mike,

In the event that your best five card hand is on the board, you must show your cards to get part of the pot. If you toss your cards into the muck, it is considered a fold. This is such a common occurrence that a rule was written out in tournament rules just for this reason.

I’d start by sharing that for three times a week, I play live N/L tournaments near my hometown. There’s one player I usually encounter in my games. I believe he is one of the best amongst the locals and I heard he runs the NL tournaments. Just last week, I saw him and actually got the chance to play with him.

I remember I was the button and he was the small blind. The big blind was the only other player in the hand. Well, I had A9 off-suit and an A flopped. Back then, no one folded and the turn was another A. Both then checked while I placed a bet and he folded with no doubts on his face. Afterwards, the big blind called. Then the river came and was a 5. Big blind checked and so I then placed a minimum bet to the big blind. For three times my bet, he re-raised me. I then called. Later on, he showed AJ and so I lost. I then threw my cards towards the muck. I remember the next shuffler was about to pick them up when the small blind said he wanted to take a look at my cards. I disagreed but then he insisted and so eventually he got the chance to turn my cards up. Because of my cards, I believe he got some information that he can use for his advantage. Do you think what the small blind did was legal and acceptable?

Please, I need your help.

Thanks!

Best,
Reynolds
Reynolds,

In a tournament, a player may not request that you show your hand. This is acceptable in cash games when a call is made, but not in a tournament.