[spamproxy]

OK, put me in the category of I think a lot of the so called rules are to fussy and create more questions than answers.

Why would cards visible to all players when only two players are involved in the hand be a problem in a tournament but not in a ring game?

[billm]

Originally Posted by spamproxy

OK, put me in the category of I think a lot of the so called rules are to fussy and create more questions than answers.

Why would cards visible to all players when only two players are involved in the hand be a problem in a tournament but not in a ring game?

Well, look. The all-in player is trying to influence the other player's decision in some way by exposing a card. All-in player is giving information to other player. But, the other player is _not_ the only person who is getting this information; everyone else does too. Any one of them could react in a way that the other player could notice. Since all opponents have an interest in having someone bust out, if they are rational, they will try to give off tells that would influence the other player to call.

For example, suppose I am at the final table of a big tournament, and I have folded my 8-5 off. The scenario described in the first post happens. All-in player turns over an ace. Assuming that the loser of the hand will be out or crippled, I want to do everything in my power to make the potential caller think that I also had an ace. If I were allowed to, I would flat out state that I folded an ace --- and so would exactly two other people! The rest would verbally account for the kings, etc. But the rules prohibit that, so I'm going to exhibit some sort of not-so-subtle body language telling the potential caller to call. Maybe a frown, or a look of incredulity. This sort of thing is impossible to police, so the rule exists to prevent it ever coming up.

In ring games, nobody cares if someone busts out. There's no incentive for making these kinds of moves, so showing is allowed.

cheers

billm

[Big Mike]

Originally Posted by kaiser10

In a tournament, you are not allowed to show your hand even if there are only two people left in the pot (unless it's heads-up the rest of the way). This is because the other people in the tournament have a vested interest in the outcome. By showing the cards, it could prevent someone from calling an all-in, thus preventing the other players from moving up in the money or getting closer to it (along with several other outcomes). Everyone has invested money (i.e. a buy-in) to obtain the same goal of accumulating all the chips in play. So by showing cards to get a read, it affects all the players which is why it's not allowed. In a cash game, however, the goal is different and cards can be shown heads-up with others at the table.

Good post. Saves me from having to type all that! : )

Mike