03-30-05, LearnTexasHoldem:

Show One Show All Rule

Question: When I started playing about 6 months ago, your advice helped me out--I've become DECENT at best, even playing at a satelite tourney for a WPT seat (FUN!).

We also host losts of home games for beginners (mixed with some very very good players). One beginner kept raising insane amounts, leaving everyone to fold. When it came to someone who had a decent hand and spent their time thinking...thinking...thinking...trying to read him, etc..., they would fold. He would show THEM his hand, but no one else

Top 3 Beginner Rooms

It got so rediculous that people were asking "Will you show me your hand if I fold?". He of COURSE said yes, denying anyone else the privilege of seeing what he had, bluffed, etc.

If someone else claimed Show one Show all...his reply was "They payed more to see it--stayed in longer..."

I argue Show one, show all because he is giving certain players more information about his play. It doesn't matter how much anyone put in the pot to SEE what he has. We aren't playing a game of "pay to see how I play".

This was a home game, but we didn't announce the show one, show all at the beginning of the tourney...we do now.

Is there a RULE or is it just ettiquite?

And are you allowed to show just ONE card? I've seen David N. show and A but not the other...I'm assuming that's okay.

Is it "wrong" to ask "What did you have?" and expect them to show if the hand was folded/mucked? I've noticed that on TV they ALWAYS lie about what they actually had...that's fun though!

thanks!

Answer: Yes, if someone requested to see an unfolded hand that he showed to another player at the table, he is required to show it. The dealer would uncover it for everyone. The reasons for this are what you already stated: It isn't fair to only allow some players the information of seeing what he has each time. Most of the time this isn't a big deal and players routinely show other players on their side of the table their cards. If you do feel you are being affected by it, it isn't bad etiquette to politely say, "dealer let me see that hand."

I'm not sure I know what you mean by "show just ONE card." Sometimes, after the opponent has folded, a player may just flash one card. That's what Daniel might have done, which is fine. He isn't required to show any cards if everyone folds. On the other hand if you do the "I'll show you one" trick to see if you can get a read one someone, that is usually discouraged. Most tournaments have a rule that's states something to the effect of: You aren't supposed to reveal your cards until showdown. Lastly, you must always show both cards at showdown to take a pot, even if only one card is enough to win.

As for whether it is ok to ask "what did you have?", sure go ahead. No one is required to tell you anything, including the truth but it never hurts. Most players won't say what they had, but if you do get someone with a big mouth, you might as well exploit it.

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