The big blind then erupted and claimed that I had no right to interfere, claiming that there was a “one player to a hand rule.” The other players were saying that cards speak and that it didn’t matter. The floor then stated that his ruling stood and told me to not say anything further during hands I was not a part of. The big blind player was left with less than the big blind and was eliminated the next hand. He then told me he was going to wait for me to finish, insinuating that he wanted to fight.

Well, we ended up chopping about 15 minutes later and sure enough the guy was still there waiting. Nothing happened as I had two friends railing me and they left with me. They are quite large men and he just ran away like a little girl.

However, it does beg the question as to whether I was supposed to say anything during the tournament when the dealer made the mistake. I thought that cards spoke. What should have happened here.

Tony

Tony,

You have a scenario here where the player was trying to angle shoot for the pot after realizing he was sucked out on. Once a player is all-in, cards must be shown and cards do indeed speak. In the event of a dealer miscalling the hand, TDA rules clearly state that other players may assist the dealer in correctly calling the hands. In other words, you were entirely within your rights to point that out.

The player that claimed “one player to a hand” misunderstood the rule. One player to a hand involves someone giving advice on how to play a hand while action is still occurring. After someone is all-in and called, action is complete.

I am a little concerned that the floor manager told you to keep your mouth shut after the incident. He may have done that to keep peace. However, I would have still spoke up if the dealer made a mistake again.

I am also surprised that you did not have security called on the player that threatened you. You should have definitely taken up for yourself here and had him thrown out of the building. While that is your decision, it is one that I would have made without hesitation.

Cards speak means that a player cannot be penalized for miscalling his hand. If they do so, the dealer can make the correction. When the situation arises where the dealer is in error, it is your responsibility to help them. You would want the same done for you if you were in that spot. Another thing this does is that is shows you are an honest player. Annie Duke last year at the WSOP was all-in and had lost at the river to an opponent’s straight. The dealer miscalled the hand and her opponent did not notice it. Annie pointed out the dealer’s error and then packed up her stuff and exited the area. That was a case where her correcting the dealer cost her, but it was the right thing to do.

I would like to ask something but I don’t know if it would make sense. What will you do if you want to use the facilities or want to get some of the free grub? Will you leave your chips or take them with you in case?

Another thing, what if while you are gone, one of the blinds passes you by, ante up one more time?

Thanks,
Norman Morisset
Norman,

You leave your chips at the table. If the blinds pass you by while you are gone, it depends on whether you are in a cash game or a tournament. If you are in a cash game, you must post the small and big blind to receive a hand. Otherwise, you must wait until it is your big blind again to play. If you are in a tournament, you will continue to be dealt and your blinds and antes posted while you are gone. When you come back, you play as normal.

I’m just thinking if what happens next when another player at the table bets out of turn? Any rule to consider?

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Matthew Gilberg
Matthew,

When a player bets out of turn, their bet stands if nobody acts before it indeed become his turn to bet. If someone bets before it’s his turn, then he has the option to pull his bet back and continue as normal. In a tournament he will also receive a warning. Repeatedly acting out of turn can result in a penalty in a tournament.

In a recent tournament, a situation came up. I remember then that after the flop, I went all-in. Later, I had one caller for it. Well, it was the first hand of the tournament therefore both of us were all-in. I was then the dealer and when the time to flipped my two cards came, we were quite surprised as one of them hit one of the community cards. By the way both my cards were face up then.

So now, do you think that meant a dead hand and so the other guy actually won? Well some players said that I lost automatically while there are some who said that it was another way around as my cards were face up actually. What do you think?

Thanks!

Regards,
Lynette Bower
Lynette,

There should never be a rule killing your hand if your card touches the flop. This is a silly rule and there is really no good reason for it.

For sake of argument, let’s say the rule is in place. Since you are all in and the cards are already face up, then it does not matter if the community cards touch your cards. The dealer should just push your hand off to the side while they deal the cards. This should not be an issue.

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.

In one of the recently held tourneys, I was dealt pocket Queens and then sent my 7000 chips into the pot. By the way, this one happened when 9 out of 50 players remained for the pot. Later on one player called and one guy at the near end of the table was figuring things out. I then also pondered on the call just made and then decided to show him my cards to deter him from going for the pot. Fortunately, it worked. However, I want of course to hear a pro’s opinion on this one. What do you think? Was it just right to scare him off? I guess it was effective but I am not sure if it was legal and ethical.

Thanks!

Warm regards,
Balley
Balley,

Not only was it unethical, it was not a legal move. If you did that in a live tourney, you would at least receive a penalty, and they would be within their rights to disqualify you from the tournament. What you are doing is improperly influencing the action. On a first offense, you would probably just get a penalty.

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.

In the tournament I was into last night, the hand was dealt to the river by which both players went all-in and a player was eliminated. Quite bothering, right after the hands were flipped and the pot was awarded, some of us at the table noticed that there was an extra card flopped that was stuck behind another card. Personally, I believe it was not a misdeal as it was seen right after everything was finished. Am I right?

Thanks in advance!

Truly,
David Abrams
David,

It depends on whether the extra card was in a players hand or on the board. If it was in the player’s hand, then it was a misdeal.

If the extra card was on the flop, then depending on where the extra card occurred, the board may have to be redealt. If the extra card was on the flop, then the entire board will need to be redealt. If the all-in was before the flop, this does not affect betting. If it was after, then all betting after the flop is nullified and the flop, turn, and river must be replayed. If the extra card was on the turn, then the extra card must be taken out from under the turn card, and the river replayed. If the extra card was on the river, no action is necessary. In the event that any street must be replayed, the next should be shuffled once and cut once before the street or streets are replayed.