Rules for missing players - can they win hands?

[nuclear500]

Call me lazy, but I've done a real basic search here and in google and can't seem to find official rules.

If a player is missing for whatever reason, they are blinded we all know that...but what are the rules if by some weird chance they end up in a hand to showdown, can they even win? Aren't the cards automatically mucked?

[jba]

there are no official rules, so it depends on the local rules.

I have played under three sets of rules (that I've known of):

1. when the dealer gets their hand, anyone missing has their hand mucked. (I believe WPT uses this rule)
2. if you are missing when it is your turn to act, your hand is mucked.
3. if you are missing when it is your turn to act *and* checking is not an option, your hand is mucked. If checking is an option, you check.

scenario 3 allows missing players to actually win hands in the big blind.