[manub]

Hello there,

I saw a situation at a local cardroom and I'm curious if it was handled correctly.

Basically, there was a big hand going on on a NL hold'em table between two players. here's a short recap of the action.

Player A limps in early position.
Random players makes a preflop raise
Player B calls on the button
Big blind calls.
Player A calls.

Flop is T93 rainbow

All players check to player B on the button who bets half the pot. Only player A calls.

Turn is a 5 putting a flush draw on the board.

Player A checks, player B bets the pot, player A calls.

River is another T (no flush)

Player A checks, player B bets two thirds of the pot.

Player A agonizes for about a minute (it's a big bet compared to his stack). One of his friends walks from behind, bends over and whispers something is his ear for one or two seconds. Player A *instantly* says "CALL!". Players B vigorously protests. The floor comes over and hears the situation from both players and the dealer. Player A claims that his friend was just asking for a loan to go play at a nearby blackjack table (that friend has been seen roaming in the room and walking behind players at the table for about half an hour - it's a pretty small cardroom). The floor manager asks to see both hands. Player A turns over A9 (not an illegitimate hand but still a tough call), player B has 23s and was obviously bluffing. The floor decides that player A wins the hand and tells his friend to move away from the table. Player B accepts the ruling but angrily walks out of the casino.

What do you think of the ruling ?