[broncoboss]

Let me ask you this.... down to four handed in a home game freezeout tournament. The turn brings a four for a board of A-2-3-4. The UTG, SB, and BB are still in the hand. Dealer folded pre-flop. UTG is all-in. The river brings a 5 for a wheel on the board. The SB for some inexplicable reason just lays down his cards FACE UP on the table. He realizes within about one second that he screwed up and puts his hand over his 6-7(nut straight).

Well, the BB already saw his cards and decides to not invest any more chips into the hand. The UTG says "that's a fold, but it's no big deal." UTG gets up and calls it a night. I (the tournament director) rule that the 6-7 is not folded and is action. It is not a very smart play. But as long as the cards are placed FACE UP on the table they are still action. UTG says "the WSOP was all over Jamie Gold for doing this." Well, I have not had ESPN for a few years but I believe that exposing your cards can be penalized but I don't believe it leads to a folded hand. What is the correct ruling??

[guinness]

I always thought exposing cards was only legal in a showdown. More than 2 players in the hand then its a muck. I could be wrong here though but me's brain is tellin me this.

[abby99]

From Robert's Rules of Poker, Section 15, Tournaments:

21. Showing cards from a live hand during the action injures the rights of other players still competing in an event, who wish to see contestants eliminated. A player may not show any cards during a deal (unless the event has only two remaining players). If a player deliberately shows a card, the player may be penalized (but his hand will not be ruled dead). Verbally stating one’s hand during the play may be penalized.

You made the correct ruling, assuming of course that you follow RROP. The player should also be advised that exposing one's hand is not permitted and that doing so again could result in a penalty.

Because it was obvious that SB knew he shouldn't have turned over his hand, I wouldn't make a big deal out of it. Now way would I declare the hand dead.

[PhilTheThrill14]

The last thing in the world you want to do is declare the hand dead. Kick him in the nuts as a penalty - but don't kill the hand.

[JoseRijo]

At the Venetian they took the time to explain this rule to us ahead of time
(something must have happened). Penalty but the hand is still live. They
explicitly said they will give a penalty even if the exposure was accidental.

[Freelancer72]

Originally Posted by PhilTheThrill14

The last thing in the world you want to do is declare the hand dead. Kick him in the nuts as a penalty - but don't kill the hand.

nice way to put it.


hand is still good. player needs more coffee or something to wake him up for turning them over before it's time to. i'd penalize if it occurred again, but give a warning first.