Why Do People Ask To See The Hand? Very Unethical

[Pot Odds RAC 23]

I have always heard that asking to see the cards (especially if you are not in the hand) is a privilege that should not be abused – it is somewhat poor etiquette. While it is within the rules, it won't be tolerated in excess. My question is what recourse doe a player have if he feels that it is getting out of hand. Can you call the floor over and ask for it to be stopped? Will the Floor actually do anything?

[tskillz187 0]

I have always heard that asking to see the cards (especially if you are not in the hand) is a privilege that should not be abused – it is somewhat poor etiquette. While it is within the rules, it won't be tolerated in excess. My question is what recourse doe a player have if he feels that it is getting out of hand. Can you call the floor over and ask for it to be stopped? Will the Floor actually do anything?

Muck quickly. I don't think you can do too much except have everyone at the table yell at the person asking to see your cards, usually if a dealer sees a person abusing this rule his hands wont be moving to quickly to block your cards from the muck.

[Balloon guy 158]

Whenever I am in a pot with another player, I ask to see not only his cards, but ALL the cards in the deck. That way I know I wasn't cheated.Sure it slows the game down, but I think the other players respect me for it.

[A_Bullets_A 0]

If you show your cards to another player then everyone should be able to see what you showed them. However, I think asking to see someone's losing hand after they call you is terrible etiquette. It is within the rules and I wouldn't say it's unethical, but it shouldn't be done just because you're curious about what they had. That's not what the rule is there for.I think Laak asked to see Esfandiari's hand on one of the episodes of High Stakes Poker this season. Esfandiari looked pretty pissed about it and then Negreanu looked at Laak and said something like, "You know, one day someone is gonna write a book about poker etiquette and I'm gonna buy you the first copy."

[Teffy 0]

Alright so I was in big blind with 36 suited clubs and there was 2 callers preflop and no one raised, I checked as well. Flop comes out A 10 8 2 clubs. I checked guy looked real hesitant and bet out $15 the other player folded. I looked at his stack and he had about $75 so I raised with the flush draw to $50 and he gets all nervous and thinks about it and calls, so the turn comes an 9 and he pushes all in, wasn't much I called, and river was a 4. He flips up QJ for a straight and i muck my hand and he says "I want to see that hand" and I don't get why he would ask to see my hand? He won the pot, what the **** is the point? I told him "No" and put my cards into the deck, the dealer said "sorry." The guy mouths off "I should be able to see the cards" I told him "you won the pot and called your 4 outter (yes I know there was 8 outs for his straight but let's not get technical here) and got lucky and now you want to see my cards whats the point??"I dont know about u guys but I think "asking to see someones cards is unethical and there should be a ruling on it if its mucked its mucked" I put a $200 bet on the river with the flop AA39J (I have AJ), the other player in the pot took a long time so I know she had a big hand, she ended up mucking so I thought I would show her my hand since she took so long, and flashed my cards to only her. Of course what happens next????? Some jackass on the other end of the table "Let me see those cards" like why do people make it such a big deal to see someone elses cards? I dont give a **** what you have if im not in the pot.Is it just me or do you find this unethical?

This refers to the "Show one show all rule, and it is ABSOLUTELY ethical AND relavent, and if you don't give a **** what someone else had in that hand, you are NOT good poker player. Every other player at the table deserves to know whether or not you just ran a good bluff or had a monster. If one person knows this information (the lady you showed your monster too) then every other player does too, otherwise, she has a distinct advantage.

[ThreeBet 0]

This refers to the "Show one show all rule, and it is ABSOLUTELY ethical AND relavent, and if you don't give a **** what someone else had in that hand, you are NOT good poker player. Every other player at the table deserves to know whether or not you just ran a good bluff or had a monster. If one person knows this information (the lady you showed your monster too) then every other player does too, otherwise, she has a distinct advantage.

QFT!I'll ask every time if this happens ... why should anyone have an advantage over me and everyone else. If I'm waiting to sit and I see people showing cards to each other and nothing be done I'll tell them as soon as I sit down that if they keep doing it I will be asking EVERY time ... it soon stops.As for asking to see a hand that is mucked or about to be ... yes it is a rule and can be done. However, the reason the rule was created was to prevent collusion. SO ... in theory, you're not supposed to ask unless you suspect collusion which means you shouldn't be asking just to get information on the player as that is bad etiquette. If someone asks to see my hand I'll ask them if they suspect me of cheating. When they say no, then I'll say "OK, here ya go". I'll then tell him WHY the rule is there. If he asks again, I'll call for the pit who, if they know what they are doing, will tell him not to ask me again. This "rule" is not to be abused. Pit boss should be giving warnings to anyone who continually asks to see hands for information only.

[SpiderGuard 0]

Whenever I am in a pot with another player, I ask to see not only his cards, but ALL the cards in the deck. That way I know I wasn't cheated.Sure it slows the game down, but I think the other players respect me for it.

I LOL'd. Well played.

[finztotheleft 0]

Whenever I am in a pot with another player, I ask to see not only his cards, but ALL the cards in the deck. That way I know I wasn't cheated.Sure it slows the game down, but I think the other players respect me for it.

LOL. I want to book YOU for my next party. No balloons ,decorations, or rental equipment.....just Ballon Guy

[DCJ001 0]

... I thought I would show her my hand since she took so long, and flashed my cards to only her. Of course what happens next????? Some jackass on the other end of the table "Let me see those cards" like why do people make it such a big deal to see someone elses cards? I dont give a **** what you have if im not in the pot.Is it just me or do you find this unethical?

Why do you make a big deal about not wanting to show this hand to the rest of the table?If you give one player at the table the info, whether you held the nuts or a bluff, shouldn't you give the rest of the table the info, if anyone asks?

[simo_8ball 0]

Muck quickly. I don't think you can do too much except have everyone at the table yell at the person asking to see your cards, usually if a dealer sees a person abusing this rule his hands wont be moving to quickly to block your cards from the muck.

I am fairly sure cards can be recovered from the muck pile.EDIT:

DEAD HANDS...2. Cards thrown into the muck may be ruled dead. However, a hand that is clearly identifiable may be retrieved and ruled live at management’s discretion if doing so is in the best interest of the game. An extra effort should be made to rule a hand retrievable if it was folded as a result of incorrect information given to the player.

[loogie 115]

I consider it a hate crime.

[ObeyTheDog 0]

I'm torn...The second example, the OP is wrong. If you show a player at the table your cards, you should EXPECT to be asked to show your hand to the entire table. If you aren't, then you are at a juicy, dumb table. It isn't bad etiquette for them to ask to see your hand when shown to another player at the table.In the first example, you are wrong for saying "No" and childishly mucking your cards, but I SINCERELY understand your anger in this example. It is ABSOLUTELY horrible etiquette for another player to ask to see the losing hand. It is ESPECIALLY horrible of the player who WON THE POT to ask to see the LOSING hand. Not only is it bad etiquette, but it is DUMB, because if he asks to see the losing hand and it somehow turns out to be a winner because the player misread his cards (think 4 straight, 4 flush, etc.) then that player gets the pot!So let's review: If you show another player your cards, expect to show the whole table, because someone is going to ask, and they are within their rights, rules, and etiquette to do so.If you win a pot and the other player graciously taps the table and says nice hand....DON'T ASK TO SEE IT. I don't care how curious you are. I don't care if you want to know what he raised $50 with. It isn't in the spirit of the rule to do this. Sure, you are within the rules, you are within your "rights", but you are behaving like a poker jackass and will demonstrate to the table that you are a jerk, a nub, and completely classless. It's like you have the right to shet your pants in an elevator, but that doesn't make it right. (bad example, because there is probably a sick enjoyment to this)

[SpiderGuard 0]

If you win a pot and the other player graciously taps the table and says nice hand....DON'T ASK TO SEE IT. I don't care how curious you are. I don't care if you want to know what he raised $50 with. It isn't in the spirit of the rule to do this. Sure, you are within the rules, you are within your "rights", but you are behaving like a poker jackass and will demonstrate to the table that you are a jerk, a nub, and completely classless.

+1. This is the best post I've read on this topic, and the internet players who spazz out in live games, or worse, home games with their friends, should all read it. Balloon Guy was being funny in his earlier post, but his post wasn't too far off what it sounds like some people here do. There's something to be said for being gracious and having some class. Unfortunately that seems to be missing far too often.

[psujohn 0]

I am fairly sure cards can be recovered from the muck pile.

No they won't be recovered. The rule you quote is specifically referring to a player mis-representing their hand at showdown - ie player A bet, player B calls and says "top two pair" player A mucks, player B flips over bottom pair.I actually saw a ruling at MGM where a guy folded to a turn bet and showed the guy on his right (the bettor) and then mucked. Another player asked to see them and the dealer said he couldn't retrieve the cards from the muck. The floor was called and backed up the dealer. Basically he said the dealer would try to protect the muck but you need to ask to see before they hit the muck.As for asking to see a hand and having a winning hand revealed ... if a player other than the guy who "wins" at showdown asks to see it the hand is killed before it's turned over. If you "win" the hand and ask to see the other hand when the guy goes to fold the hand will be live and it's possible you'll lose if the guy misread his hand.

[grocery_mony 8]

One thing else that is diffrent than online that I noticed is the dealer will not tell you how much is in the pot if you ask, so keep track of the pot especially when you have a pile of chips in the pot. Smart *** dealer just laughed and said "this isnt the internet buddy" when I requested a pot count in a multiway pot at the Wynn one day. can be hard to keep track of with those goofy $3 chips.

[13CARDS 0]

One thing else that is diffrent than online that I noticed is the dealer will not tell you how much is in the pot if you ask, so keep track of the pot especially when you have a pile of chips in the pot. Smart *** dealer just laughed and said "this isnt the internet buddy" when I requested a pot count in a multiway pot at the Wynn one day. can be hard to keep track of with those goofy $3 chips.

That may be a leak.In the best interest of the game, it is never a good idea to start a precedent of pulling cards out of the muck.If someone misrepresents their hand at showdown (Player A says "Top Two". Player B mucks. Player A tables One Pair.), first a warning, then an invitation to see the outside of the casino. BTW...Player B is displaying another leak. Learn to table cards ALWAYS, regardless of what your opponent says. CARDS SPEAK.

[timwakefield 68]

In the first example, you are wrong for saying "No" and childishly mucking your cards, but I SINCERELY understand your anger in this example. It is ABSOLUTELY horrible etiquette for another player to ask to see the losing hand. It is ESPECIALLY horrible of the player who WON THE POT to ask to see the LOSING hand. Not only is it bad etiquette, but it is DUMB, because if he asks to see the losing hand and it somehow turns out to be a winner because the player misread his cards (think 4 straight, 4 flush, etc.) then that player gets the pot!

I agree completely. Not only is it rude, it's stupid. Also, instead of just saying NO and mucking your hand, ask him if he thinks you're cheating, and explain to him that he basically accused you of cheating.

[xzanos 0]

In some rooms, only players in the hand at showdown are allowed to ask to see mucked hands. Just sayin'.

[DCJ001 0]

One thing else that is diffrent than online that I noticed is the dealer will not tell you how much is in the pot if you ask, so keep track of the pot especially when you have a pile of chips in the pot. Smart *** dealer just laughed and said "this isnt the internet buddy" when I requested a pot count in a multiway pot at the Wynn one day. can be hard to keep track of with those goofy $3 chips.

Now, that's funny!

[A_Bullets_A 0]

One thing else that is diffrent than online that I noticed is the dealer will not tell you how much is in the pot if you ask, so keep track of the pot especially when you have a pile of chips in the pot. Smart *** dealer just laughed and said "this isnt the internet buddy" when I requested a pot count in a multiway pot at the Wynn one day. can be hard to keep track of with those goofy $3 chips.

LOL. That's great. I wish I had the guts to say stuff like that when I was dealing. I was too polite. Oh well, hahaha.

[CBass1724 1]

I was playing 2/5 at Caesars in AC this weekend when this kid got a table change and brought like $1,500 to the table I was at. He was in a pot and made a $300 bet on the river that eventually got called. Both him and the caller would not turn their cards over and this kid eventually mucked. Another player at the table said "I want to see those cards since he got called." The kid said, "don't worry about it, it was a bluff and I got caught." The dealer was starting to push the pot to the caller but did grab the cards real quick since they were easily identifiable in the muck and showed his 7-9 off...which was an OESD that missed. This started WWIII at the table basically. One guy brought up a good point. What if that kid misread his own hand and the dealer determines that he was the winner after he mucked his cards? Then there is a bigger problem.I was interested in seeing what he had since he had a huge stack when he got to our table, so I did not get into the argument. He could have bluffed his way there or had a good run of cards...but none of us would know that. I would dare not ask what his cards were unless I was the one who called him though.

[David_Nicoson 1]

One guy brought up a good point. What if that kid misread his own hand and the dealer determines that he was the winner after he mucked his cards? Then there is a bigger problem.

If a player not involved in the showdown requests to see it, the hand is still dead per Robert's Rules. It's an issue only if the staff don't know the rules or they're using some set of rules that doesn't cover that situation.I found players in AC to be unusually hostile about dumb crap.

[fleung22 1]

outside of the show one show all rule, whenever a player asks to show my hand after I muck a losing hand on the river I'm always annoyed.The normal reaction is "I have the right" crap.My response is that it's poor etiquette. It's not illegal for me to fukk your mother but it probably wouldn't be good manners. It's not often they ask again...

[untunga 0]

When I see I am beat I just muck my cards... if someone wants to be a jackass about it there really isn't much you can do. I just smile and keep playing my game. I also agree that this has happend to me more in AC than in Vegas.

[SavagePenguin 0]

One guy brought up a good point. What if that kid misread his own hand and the dealer determines that he was the winner after he mucked his cards? Then there is a bigger problem.

It's my understanding that the second his cards touched the muck they were dead. So even if the dealer reveals that the hand would have been a winner, it's not.