Poker Rules / Etiquette

fforde

Playing Texas Holdem, the game is heads up. One guy goes all in before the flop. The other guy is thinking very hard about whether or not he should call. Because no one else will act after he makes his call/fold he states very clearly that he has not decided whether he will call or fold but be he is going to go ahead and flip his cards. Basically he flips them to see how the other player reacts.

I would not consider this very good etiquette, but the real question is, would this technically muck the hand?

jclast

fforde wrote:

Playing Texas Holdem, the game is heads up. One guy goes all in before the flop. The other guy is thinking very hard about whether or not he should call. Because no one else will act after he makes his call/fold he states very clearly that he has not decided whether he will call or fold but be he is going to go ahead and flip his cards. Basically he flips them to see how the other player reacts.

I would not consider this very good etiquette, but the real question is, would this technically muck the hand?

I don't think so. They're dealt face down so that you can keep them secret, not so that they have to be kept secret. There's no rule against saying "I've got pocket jacks," but it's certainly not orthodox.

That being said, if he continues to do it, lay down some house rules. Something simple like "you flip, you fold" ought to do it.

matisyahu

a ballsy move and well within the confines of fair play.

Thanatos

It's fine within the rules, but personally, I'd consider pretty rude. It's something I'd expect to see Phil Helmuth doing.

However, if he wants to keep doing it, let him. Now that you know to expect it, school your expression, and let him get owned a couple of times.

fforde

That's about the same way I felt. I am actually the one that flipped the cards and I kind of feel bad about it, but I feel the same as you guys, I didn't think I broke any rules, and everyone at the table (aside from the guy I was heads up with) agreed with me.

I half think he was just trying to get the hand mucked because he felt he was beat. I had AK suited and he had KJ off suit. When he saw my cards I think maybe he panicked a little.

Anyway I probably wont be turning my cards like that again in the future, but I feel a little better about the game now.

Blake T

Half the time the opposition try and figure out what you have (within the confines of the rules) you just made it easier for him, I really doubt he could complain.

Pheezer

So the real take-away from this thread is that you're not only a douche on the Internet, but also one in real life.

The next person who makes a "My uhhh FRIEND has a question" thread gets jailed for a week.