Is it OK to say what you have?
 

The other day I was playing in an annual home game tournament where you need to get as many points as you can in the first two games in order to make it to the final 6 person table. Early on in the second game, when no one is guaranteed a spot yet, the following hand came up:

About 6 people see the flop:
6 [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]8 [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]9 [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]

UTG bets, UTG+1 raises, 2 folds, MP calls, and CO goes all in. After the action gets back to the raiser, CO, who is the defending champion, and who will be knocked out of contention if he gets called an loses, says "Everyone fold, please, I have the best hand and I'll show. I don't want to get knocked out. Fold your flush draws" Most of us know him and believe him so everyone folds, including K and s [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]Q [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] and a top two pair hand, face up. CO then turns over 5 [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]7 [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] for the best hand, and gladly rakes in the pot.

I would really like to know for future reference how this type of thing is looked at ethics wise. Please choose one. Any comments would be helpful. Thanks.

Re: Is it OK to say what you have?
 

Who cares...He didnt say I have 57o and show it while people are in the hand. He is only playing with your heads and he obv. won.

Re: Is it OK to say what you have?
 

fine. if he said I have 57...that would be different. this however, is fine.

Re: Is it OK to say what you have?
 

Anyone realize it's not even the nuts?

Re: Is it OK to say what you have?
 

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Anyone realize it's not even the nuts?

[/ QUOTE ]

Duh...

Re: Is it OK to say what you have?
 

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fine. if he said I have 57...that would be different. this however, is fine.

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Why would it be different ethically speaking?

Re: Is it OK to say what you have?
 

imho...only because he does not know if he has the best hand for sure...he does however know that he has 57.

A slight distinction, but an important one in my opinion.

Re: Is it OK to say what you have?
 

Jamie Gold plays in your homegame?

Re: Is it OK to say what you have?
 

I say it's unethical because it is a tourney. In a ring game it would be fine. In a tourney different rules apply because each hand affects everyone else in the tourney, even if they are not at your table.

BTW, the reason this example is unethical is not because he spoke about his hand (which is perfectly fine) but rather that the rest of the table colluded with him so he wouldn't get knocked out if they hit.

Re: Is it OK to say what you have?
 

I personally think it is ok to say "everyone get out of my way" and take advantage of your table image. If you start giving clues as to what you are holding, then that is not cool and could impact other players unfairly.