Pot given to wrong player

[Lottery Larry]

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I think that ideally the winner of the pot should set aside approximately half of that pot and have it given to the guy the next time he comes back. If that doesn't happen in a month or two let him have it.

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I'd let the walker know that half the pot is waiting for him, also. First-timers' exception to the general rule, or something.

[hustler730]

I believe if the player didnt know what he had, then he shouldnt have been playing at all. Once he leaves the table and cards go into the muck hand is dead.

[DavidNB]

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2. The "cards speak", meaning winner is determined by what the cards are as long as they are shown at showdown. It doesn't matter what any player says is his hand - the cards are examined to determine who has the winning hand.

If your home game rule is "cards speak," then the error should be corrected regardless of the time passed

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I play cards talk ( not speak) but disagree with correcting a incorrectly awarded pot regardless of the time passed. This sets up a dangerous precedent for future hands. Next time someone may argue about a hand that happened a hour ago and so on. The only rule I would soften up at my home game would be a mucked hand. I would go thru the muck and try to recreate a hand and flop in a attempt to find out the winning hand. Of course, casino rules state that cards can be retrived from the muck anyways.

Cards speak only applies while the cards are turned face up.

[pfapfap]

In my home game, were I shipped the wrong pot, I'd absolutely pay the rightful winner, as soon as possible. I would not force others to do so, but as host I would offer some benefit to the wronged party, like no vig on the next couple of tourneys.