Ethical/Rule question re: showing your cards in live games/tourneys

Mayhem · #1 06-16-2006, 11:33 AM

There have been times, especially in live tourneys when I've wanted to make a big bet and just show my cards to the guy I'm heads up with to get him to fold - like when there is a big amount already in the pot, and I'm 90% sure I have him beat and do NOT want to lose to a suck out.

What is the general feelings and rules on this? I guess I can find out from the casino floor what thier policies are... but even if they give you a 10 minute penatly in a tourney sometimes I think it may be worth it, especially late in a MTT when you are short stacked.

In a ring game, a play like that may win you a big pot on the spot, which could mean significant real dollar implications.

I'm curious as to everyone's thoughts on this, thanks.

jba · #2 06-16-2006, 01:49 PM

it is definitely a no-no wrt rules and ethics in tournaments. everyone at the table has a vested interest in you busting the other guy, and if you softplay in such a way as to hurt the other players, you are cheating.

cash game it's fine as far as I'm concerned.

also, quit playing like a vag.

Hollywade · #3 06-16-2006, 02:38 PM

I have to agree with jba on this one. Nothing against you personally, but I hate it when people play like this. If you're scared to put your money in the middle when you have a significant edge, maybe you should find a different game to play.

In tournaments, I would say this is a huge no-no and if anyone tried it at my table, I would be furious.

Mayhem · #4 06-16-2006, 02:41 PM

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also, quit playing like a vag.

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Sweet, thanks! Well thought out, constructive replies like this are why I joined 2+2. [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]

runout_mick · #5 06-16-2006, 04:26 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
also, quit playing like a vag.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sweet, thanks! Well thought out, constructive replies like this are why I joined 2+2. [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, his comment was more constructive than it sounds, even though it was unneccesarily harsh and abrupt.

The fact that you are thinking like this indicates that you have a long, long road to travel before you have a grasp of poker basics.

Don't show your cards.

Also:

[ QUOTE ]
quit playing like a vag.

[/ QUOTE ]

Mike Cuneo · #6 06-16-2006, 05:55 PM

So basically you're saying if theres a raise and a re-raise and you have aces you would rather just show it down and win than go all in preflop against KK?

Actually, that would be about 80/20, wayyy too small of an edge for you, thus according to 2+2 scripture you should instamuck, and wait for a true 100/0 situation.

I love your logic on the "win a big pot on the spot." I can just picture you as one of those donks that checks the 2nd nuts on the river because "the pot's already big enough."

momoney2 · #7 06-16-2006, 06:38 PM

I've seen this happen two or three times over the last few years while I've played small MTT's in local B&M casinos. Each time the floor has ruled the shown hand dead.
So, please, if I am ever up against your pocket Aces in a tourney, go all-in, then show me your cards, thus mucking your hand. I'll gladly take down the pot and knock you out of the tourney with my 7-2o in the BB.
Quite a bit of sarcasm there. But the note to be taken is, don't show your cards until the showdown or the pot has been pushed.

Five-Star · #8 06-16-2006, 08:58 PM

1. Your hand will be dead if you show your cards in a tournament.

2. If you are afraid of losing to a suckout, quit playing poker. Right now. You want a player with bad cards to keep playing so you can keep winning his money. Too many times people post on here about about playing in a B&M and showing their cards because they don't understand that concept. Who cares if they win 1 out of 5 times. You know what happens those other 4? YOU WIN!

3. "but even if they give you a 10 minute penatly in a tourney sometimes I think it may be worth it, especially late in a MTT when you are short stacked."

If you think being blinded out of a tournament is the best way to play, then go right ahead.

Never show your cards until the end.

Mayhem · #9 06-19-2006, 11:58 AM

As to the rule of "a shown hand is a mucked hand" - thanks, that is what I was looking for.

As to the other replies, it is one thing for all you pro muti-tabling, 100K hand a week people to easily shrug your shoulders at a bad beat/suckouts and say 'that's poker' beacuse you will win 80% of the other times your are deep in a multi or deciding on a play for a huge $$$ pot.

But for someone like me (above average player that plays occasionally, does well and wins, but doesn't like to lose huge pots and spots in MTTs to suck outs and bad beats), I think it was a valid question. So get off your high horses and just answer the question without being poker snobs.

poker-penguin · #10 06-19-2006, 12:18 PM

You have a choice, keep being a weak tight player and keep wondering why you can come in the top 33% of multis but never actually make the money (or if you do, just slip in and get buyin plus a little back) and why you only ever have small wins at best.

OR, take the advice that people here give you, and stop playing like a vag.

Also, if you're going to keep posting on 2+2, I suggest you stop reacting like a vag when someone criticises you.

If I was 90% sure I had someone beat, I'd be praying to God Allah, Vishnu, and Thor to get them to call (assuming there was <10 times the size of the bet they had to call already in the pot, if there was more than that - on the turn in limit ring games basically - is they only time I'd want a fold. How big is your ego you think you'll have a better chance of winning chips than as a 10 to 1 favourite?