Talking about hole cards after hand is over
 

The following situation came up at a tournament game at a local lodge (legal; they don't rake or take a cut and you don't have to be a member). I'm curious about comments and where to look for a definitive answer.

Everyone folds to the button who limps, I raise from the SB, the BB and button call (3-handed). The flop is 3 hearts and I don't have one so I check, the BB checks, and the button bets the pot. I fold and BB folds. The button takes the pot. I speculate about the BBs hand (not directly asking what he had but looking for info) and the BB says AhXx. The button objects, saying that I now know what the button *didn't* have in that situation (sort of sharing information on a player's tendencies).

Three questions:

(1) Was I out of line to speculate on just one (or any) of the hands?

(2) Was the BB out of line to say what he had (he didn't show it... he could have been lying)?

(3) Was the button objecting without justification (remember, the hand was over and the next hand hadn't begun)?

My sense is that it's OK to talk about a 3-handed pot once it has concluded... I've never heard anyone raise the objection before. Yet I'm having a hard time finding a guideline that indicates that either I or the BB was out of order.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Re: Talking about hole cards after hand is over
 

You can say whatever you want after the hand.

Re: Talking about hole cards after hand is over
 

[ QUOTE ]
You can say whatever you want after the hand.

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Re: Talking about hole cards after hand is over
 

The BB was probably lying. The button was stupid.

No penalty on your part.

Re: Talking about hole cards after hand is over
 

Yeah, totally fine, no worries. Talking while a hand is still in play is a different matter entirely, but I agree the button was stupid to make a fuss.

Re: Talking about hole cards after hand is over
 

[ QUOTE ]
You can say whatever you want after the hand.

[/ QUOTE ]

Re: Talking about hole cards after hand is over
 

1. No. Once the hand is over you can discuss any aspects of it with whomever you like. Doesn't matter if 3 handed or the whole table was in.

2. No. If another player wants to divulge information by answering your questions then he can do that too.

3. Totally. I interpret your post such that the button overheard the conversation between you and the bb so he also received the same info you did. And he's complaining about it......

Poker is a game of information. The more you can get the better off you will be. Thats why some of the better players are very friendly and outgoing. They get other players talking and learn things about them. Their mood, attitude, motivation, etc...And then they use this against them later.

Thanks to your question the button received some free info. He should have said thanks

Re: Talking about hole cards after hand is over
 

Button is a nit.

Re: Talking about hole cards after hand is over
 

Let's see, button is basically objecting because now you all know he didn't have the nut flush, if he had a flush at all.

Button shouldn't have talked to you but should have directed his comment at BB by saying: "I don't appreciate you telling others what your cards were because then they know I didn't have those ones".

This would then be followed by the other nine players at the table falling off their chairs laughing.

Re: Talking about hole cards after hand is over
 

Actually that's precisely what happened but no one as laughing. Being as it was my first visit to the club and I was very interested in being invited back, I kept my mouth shut. I can't figure out why no one called him on it.

In any case there is another part of my question that hasn't yet been addressed: where would I look to determine the proper etiquette here? Any good sites or threads on this forum?

Thanks again!