Turning over hole cards

[rossg]

In a recent tournament I played in, I got to the last two. We roughly had about the same amount of chips, I think about 45000 each, when the following situation happened. I had QQ, the other player bet 5000, so I limped in and called, putting him on an AK. When the flop came, it was A K Q, I bet into him with another 5000, he called. A 7 came on the turn, I then bet 10000, he immediately moved all-in. That had me thinking, had he had the nuts before the flop or did he have AA or KK in the hole. I wasn't too sure whether to go or not, however, I felt I was committed to the pot. For some reason, I turned my hole cards over for him to see in the hope that I would get some type of reaction to help my descision. As soon as I seen his face, I moved my chips in immediately. I knew I was ahead. The river came and it was a 5. He turned his cards over and it was AK - two pair...exactly what I put him before the flop. He went crazy knowing that I only caught him because of his reaction when i flipped my hole cards over, and started saying that it was cheating. Its the first time I have ever done that and it is unlikely that I will do it again. However, I was just wondering if any of you had any views on this strategy, whether it is allowed or whether its not. Any help would be great.

[Andy B]

I'm not sure I think it's a good rule, but if you pulled a stunt like that in a tournament in the US, your hand would automatically be dead.

[fnurt]

This move is straight out of Super System. If it's good enough for Doyle Brunson it's good enough for me.

[Al_Capone_Junior]

It's very unfortunate, but in many casinos I've been in, you are right. I'm not sure if it's that way in all of them, but I'd certainly ask before doing this, less you get your hand declared dead.

[Jon Matthews]

I've done this in home tournaments a couple of times, mostly so that I could think for longer and think out loud if I wanted. I would always say that I am undecided but am going to show my cards without folding and it's been accepted. If I flipped them over that would be considered the same as mucking.

I don't think there's anything wrong with it as long as the other player isn't duped into thinking you're folding.

[cferejohn]

In every tournament I've played in, if you show your hand before all the action is complete, your hand is dead. Period. There is usually nothing illegal about saying what you have though (or for that matter lying about it). You might have been able to get the info you wanted by picking up chips, saying "three queens", and looking for a reaction. Some people consider this angle-shooting (I'm on the fence about it myself), but I don't know any place that would actually declare your hand dead for it. Certainly picking up some chips and watching their eyes is OK, but in this case it might not have told you anything because he probably thought he was ahead.

In any case, heads up I would have called this without hesitation. Also, I wouldn't have thought he needed anything nearly as strong as AK to make a big pre-flop raise (I assume 5000 was a big raise, you don't mention the blind sizes).