Question on an all in player exposing his hand

May 16, 2007 by snb.ike.

My first post, hopefully in an acceptable format that is understandable.

First, it should be noted that this is the action as I was able to reconstruct it. I didn’t witness the entire chain of events. This took place in a bar league where the players deal themselves, and player experience varies greatly.

Late in a MTT. One player goes all in and gets two callers. The active players check the flop and turn. Active player A, the first to act, checks the river. As active player B is putting a bet out, the all in player exposed his hole cards thinking action was completed. Active player A mucks his hand. Active player B argued that since the all in player exposed his cards previous to action being complete his hand was considered dead (actually the player said his hand was mucked), and therefore should be split between the two active players.

My ruling was that 1)since active player A mucked his hand he was ineligible from any part of the pot, and 2)the all in player’s exposure of his hand previous to the completion of action did not make it dead. As the all in player had a better hand than player B I awarded him the pot.

Player B felt very strongly that he was correct however I stood by my decision and still think that I am correct, but I also know that I am human. I looked through robert’s rules but didn’t see anything that specifically addressed the situation. I would appreciate any comments on my ruling.

Thanks.

Posted in Fouled Hands, All-In Bets; Re-Opening Betting, Side-Pots, Split Pots, Official Rules & Guidelines, General, Mucking, Dead Hands, Etc, Etiquette, Behavior, Play Procedures & Penalties | Print | 4 Comments »