I hope you are not so busy for I have three questions for you. Thank you in advance.

1. Assume that I’m the dealer but unfortunately I’m out of the hand and then there’s player 1 and 2. Player 1, at some point, revealed his cards and announced he has a pair. But without knowing, he has a straight instead. Player 2 has a higher pair and then made some efforts to win over the pot. Personally, do you think it was just right to call the straight as the winning hand as after all I’m the dealer? Or instead I’ll just wait for some things to happen as the decision was for both players to make?
2. Do you burn the cards during the dealing of two hole cards right after the deck is cut?
3. Do you know any rule about who cuts the cards during a game?

Thanks again!

Bill Stull
Bill,

1. In Holdem games, cards speak. This means that it is the dealer’s responsibility to call the hand and award the pot. Other players can assist. The only difference in this is if you have a home game where the rules require you call your own hand. In that even, you are not allowed to help. In casinos and professional games, the rule is cards speak.
   
2. You do not burn card before dealing each player their hole cards.
   
3. In a holdem game, the dealer is supposed to cut the cards. However, in many home games it is customary to have the player on your right cut the cards.

In the game I was into the other night, one player went all in on the flop, while other players were raising a lot after their bet. Later on, the first player got the winning hand. An argument appeared as we don’t know what will happen to the coins left? We were wondering then if the the money should go to the separate players or to player with the next winning hand. What do you think?

Thank you so much.

Doug Linn
Doug,

I’m going to assume you are asking about the money that was bet on the side after the all-in player was called. These are known as side pots. Side pots actually should be awarded and distributed before the main pot is decided. If this would have been done, there would be no money left to divide between players.