08-23-04, LearnTexasHoldem:

Heads Up Showing Losing Cards

Question: Like a lot of other people I thank you for the great site, I've learned a lot quite quickly thanks to you. I recently held a small Holdem tourney and at one point two players went heads-up (no all in). Player 1 raised, player 2 re-raised and Player 1 immediately called and showed his hand. Player 2 acknowledged the loss but didn't show her hand. Player 1 threw a fit and said that he had paid to see her cards by calling her re-raise and everyone looked to me for the call because I was host. I said that in a heads=up where no-one went all in only the caller was required to show their cards. Was I correct?

Thanks Again for the great site and the time taken to answer my question.

Gregory

Vashon Is., WA.

Top 3 Beginner Rooms

Answer: First of all, thanks for the question Gregory. There are a few things going on here and I'll try to touch on each angle. First off, it is your game so you can decide whatever you like. I would just try to list as many of those rules before the tourney began so people don't think you are trying to play sides. Secondly, Player 1 did have a right to see the folded hands (that lost at showdown) but that player needed to request to see the hand before it touched the muck pile.

Remember that once the cards touch the muck pile, the dealer is not allowed to show them -- the hand is dead. The problem with rules like these, and a lot of other poker rules, are that the enforcement of them is difficult. What should the floor person do besides give a warning to a player who is acting out of turn or throwing their hand into the muck pile so it won't be shown?

The floor isn't going to give everyone's money back who lost in the hand or award the pot to someone else so their hands are pretty much tied. You are in the same spot. All you can really do if someone breaks one of the smaller rules is to warn them and if they do it again then either boot them or more likely give them a stiffer warning.

You could institute a three strikes system but I don't like that since people can just act out twice knowing that they won't get in trouble unless they do it a third time. A case by case basis is the best system when you are the host or floor person.

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