basic rules question

[sheppy]

/images/graemlins/confused.gif I'm a newbie to the forum. Friends and I get together all the time to play NLHE. Situation came up the other nite that led to lengthy discussion/argument. Three players in, fifth street is flopped and first player bets. Other two players call. First player shows hand, other two players concede and throw their hands in. First player wins, but demands to see the other two players' hands. They refuse. First player reasons that at end of hand, all players show their hands. Other two argue that they have more or less folded and don't have to show anything. Please help us out. In a related question, at the end, who should show their hand first- the one who makes the last bet/raise? Thanks for helping out us amateurs.

[chrome_gnome]

They called his bet which results in a showdown. Everyone involved must show their hands. If the sitation was slightly different an say one of the two callers had instead folded at the river then he would be able to muck his cards unseen.

[slavic]

Yes they have to show if requested. It's bad form but they have to show. The first player must also recognize that if they flip over at his request and misread a winner as a loser he loses the pot.

[Nottom]

Since this sounds like a home game, you guys can make whatever rules your want for that situation. In most casino's you can request to see other hands, but it is considered bad etiquite as the rule is only there to help prevent collusion (although it really does nothing of the sort). On all the online sites you can view the hole cards via the hand history, but in a home game feel happy to make whatever rule you want.

[andyfox]

In most casinos, all players, when requested, must show their hands when the action is bet-call on the river. It's considered rude, though, if a player does it too often (with too often defined as more than once, and, sometimes, just once). Guys who lose the hand are not terribly pleased with now having to show something that might embarrass them. I'd discourage anyone asking to see other hands after they've conceded the pot. It doesn't make for an enjoyable home game.

In most casinos too, the last bettor/raiser must show his cards first and then in order around the table. If the river is checked down, the first to act shows first and then again, around the table in order.

[sheppy]

thanks a lot for your responses- very helpful