What does this mean?

[ts7]

Hello.
From Hold´em poker by D Sklansky, page 43, can´t understand this.
[One frequently sees a player call a bet, not knowing the hand has been raised, and upon learning this he simply calls the full bet even though he could have pulled his original bet back and folded.]
So, why doesn´t this player know the hand has been raised? How do you pull your original bet back?? This makes no sense???

[JTG51]

The game is $2/$4. A player in early position raises to $4. The next player wasn't paying attention and didn't see the raise. He puts out $2, thinking he's calling. The dealer tells him that someone has raised. He's allowed to take back his bet and fold if he wants. Sklanksy's point is that many players will always throw out the extra $2, thinking that any hand worth playing for one bet is worth playing for two bets.

[ts7]

Ok, thanks. I´ve only played on the net so was not familiar with that idea. I don´t have to burn the book and run to hills now...

[PseudoPserious]

I've ALWAYS thought this was a universal rule, but apparently some casinos don't let you do this.

Specifically, this happened to me at Palace Station last weekend, and I was told that normally the original half-call had to stay in the pot -- I could either fold or call the remaining half of the raise. The dealer took pity on me and let me take the money back, however, since I was obviously 'clueless' (her word) about playing poker in a casino. Heehee.

It also happened at the Monte Carlo to an older gentleman sitting to my left. The dealer made him keep the first half of the bet in the pot, and he folded rather than call for the second half.

But at the local Indian casinos and at the Plaza in Vegas, I see the call a single bet, realize it was raised, pull the cash back and fold 'move' all the time.

PP

[cardcounter0]

So, why doesn´t this player know the hand has been raised?

Because he wasn't paying attention, or is in a bad position at the table and didn't see the raise.

How do you pull your original bet back??

You reach out with your hand and pull your chips back.

This makes no sense???

You are right. Technically, it is not correct. Some one could angle shoot a sort of a "string call". You get raised, you say "Call" and only put out a single bet. Judge the reaction, then decide if you want to pull your bet back, or put in the other half of the raise.

The rule should be -- complete your call or fold, but your chips remain in the pot.

[Moyer]

I actually did this on my first trip to play live poker at a casino. It was 4-8 HE, and I only had $100. Lots of people were limping in, then a guy two seats to the right of me quietly raised as I was already reaching for my $4. Of course, when I then put in just $4, the dealer told me it was now $8. So I said "oh, that's alright then I'll just fold." I was going to leave the $4 in the pot, but an old guy beside me grabbed it out and shoved it to me. "You don't have to fuckin give that away." They treated me real well my first time at the table.