Is a raise allowed here? Interesting hand scenario

[PantsOnFire]

I can easily you show you how wrong your scenario is.

Say for simplicity there are three players with cards. You limp for $2, Player 2 raises to $15 and Player 3 folds. It's now back to you. Can you raise? Of course you can, that's what you were hoping for. It's in all the poker books. Limp with AA, wait for a raise behind you and then come over the top. It's a classic trap. (Let's just forget strategy right now about using this play we're discussing rules here).

Alright, let's go through a different betting sequence. You limp for $2. Player 2 raises to $15, Player 3 calls $15. Now back to you, can you raise? Yes. Say player 3 raised it to $50. Can you raise? Yes. Say Player 3 had only $20 and pushed it all in (like your scenario). Tell me how this now prevents Player 1 from raising? It defies common sense.

Edit: Stupid explanation #2. Player 3 has $20 but for some reason he just calls the $15 raise now allowing Player 1 to raise all-in and Player 3 now puts his final $5 into the pot.

[DaBiggs]

the dealer/floor clearly got the ruling wrong. since you weren't the original raiser, you should have the option to re-raise. if you smooth-called, then the original raiser would not have the option to raise.

[AngusThermopyle]

Unfortunately, dealers and floor remember (or were taught)

Condensed Version of Rule:
If player X goes all-in for an amount less than a full raise (or half bet, depending on House rules and NL vs Limit), nobody can re-raise.

A Better Version:
If player X goes all-in for an amount less than a full raise (or half bet, depending on House rules and NL vs Limit), everybody (with enough chips) has to call him to continue in the hand. To see if somebody can re-raise, ignore the all-in player's bet.


PlayerA limps
PlayerB legal raise
PlayerC goes all in for less than a re-raise
PlayerD calls
PlayerE calls
PlayerF calls

Back to PlayerA.
If you ignore PlayerC, it is clear that PlayerA can raise, since he was raised by PlayerB.

If PlayerA now just calls, then it is back to PlayerB.
If you ignore PlayerC, then it is clear that PlayerB cannot raise, since nobody raised him.

[All-inMcLovin]

Wow

That stupidity cost me $100.

Great explanation PantsonFire, may the poker gods shine on you.

[DrMega]

That is a terrible ruling. I hope you racked up and left without giving them another dime in rake (though, if you're like me, you probably don't have a choice as to where to play). Good luck in the future.