[Sprky]

So I can understand the idea that verbal statements are binding such as saying "I am all in" means all the chips are at risk. But I don't see how his statement of "all in for less" although binding doesn't change the rules of how a hand is resolved. Is this normally the case that a verbal declaration overrides a rule?

Again even if the guy agrees that he is out, let him walk away and post the extra chips in his absent SB and play the pot like a tournament should play. The declaration shouldn't change the rules in my opinion.