Etiquette when you see someones hand

[JacksonTens]

On the weekend a friend of mine accidentally saw someones hand as he flicked the card vertically when they check 'em rather than using the thumb as most do. This player didn't seem like a rookie, just a bit lazy. The player had AJ, and my friend had AQ. A dominating hand. My friend didn't want to say anything right away, he hoped he could fold out so as to avoid an immoral situation. there was a PFR, AJ called and my friend 3-bet. Original raiser called as did AJ. The flop had a queen. My friend bet and both of them called. It was at this point my friend told AJ that he'd seen his cards. The turn came another rag, my friend bet both other players called then the river. My friend bet and AJ folded. My friend won the pot and decided it was fair to give AJ nack his turn and flop bets some $12, but thought it was overkill to give him his $12 call pre flop as he would have made this play anyway. Is this fair? What would you do in this situation? [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[Ianco15]

Would your friend have played it differently had he not seen the other guys cards?

[magiluke]

Poker is a game of information. Your job is to gather as much information about other players, while revealing as little information as possible. If an opponent isn't doing a good job protecting their cards, then your are perfectly right to know what they have.

Do note that this is different than trying to see someone's cards. You shouldn't be trying to see someone's cards, but if they happen to let you, it's their fault.

If they keep on doing it, I may or may not tell them that they are doing it, depending on the person.

[twankerr]

[ QUOTE ]
It was at this point my friend told AJ that he'd seen his cards

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[ QUOTE ]
My friend bet and AJ folded

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so if AJ had somehow won, would AJ have given his money back?

[Jeebus]

play the hand take your winnings then politely inform the guy that his AJ was beat and he shouldn't show them to you.

[johnc]

I was unfornately a "lazy guy" this weekend as well and the player to my right was polite enough to let me know I wasn't doing a good job protecting my hand when taking my pf peek. You know, soda in the way, ect. Needless to say, I was very thankful to the fellow and I was able to extend the courtesy to another guy that evening who was not doing a good job of keeping his cards secret either.
The main point here, IMHO is: You've got "unauthorized information" and to act upon that information in such a way as to increase your odds of winning although your actions may not be against the rules are extremely unethical which has absolutely no business whatsoever in poker.

[JacksonTens]

In answer to the questions regarding this post. No my friend wouldn't have acted differently had he not known his opponents hand. He would have re-raised the maniac Pre Flop with AQ and would also bet into a check on the flop with top pair. He would continue to bet into checkers on the turn and river.

Just remember my friend didn't mean to see his opponents cards. He just felt bad when he did, and wanted to make it up to his opponent so he didn't seem like a cheater.

[Zetack]

Proper etiquette? You inform the person and the whole table that you saw the hand and what the cards were and while he's distracted by the ensuing conversation and the discussion of what to do...you steal his wallet.

--Zetack

[shutupndeal]

I agree pretty much with "Jeebus" who is correct to play the hand without a whjhisper and then if you are so inclined inform the player to protect his hands better. I AM NOT blowing a shot at playing my A-Q because this gentleman decided to be lazy about how he holds his cards.
I understand also what JohnC means here too .......

Quote from JohnC replying to this Q:
The main point here, IMHO is: You've got "unauthorized information" and to act upon that information in such a way as to increase your odds of winning although your actions may not be against the rules are extremely unethical which has absolutely no business whatsoever in poker.

However as a guy that has been playing in Casinos almost when this game became popular circa-1979 and have never once had the slightest ill comment made about me or my ethics or play I totally disagree with this particular situation because the fact plain and simple in this example which stands out to me is the guy was indeed lazy about how he held his cards and that isnt anyones fault other than that player. Now if I am looking while I am pretending to tie my shoe and doing creepy stuff like that then its entirely different but you are told to protect your hand at all times.
Lets go one further and I know JohnC is really gonna go ballistic here BUT if I am playing and can see someones hand while looking in that general direction then its not my fault at all. The funny thing here is I honestly and most probably would tell the guy ALTHO I reserve that right and its not breaking the rules for a reason and U need to think about that John.
Also, this isnt Dungeon's and Dragon's or some type of a Knights of the Roundtable type game where fairness rules the day and we live by some ambitious sense of justice, no my friend thats for online gaming and THIS, is Poker!
Our rules are NOT to be broken and that to me would be a travesty but like I say if I just see a hand while looking in a general way to my right or left then I am sorry thats all legit and nothing to be ashamed about. What you MAY WANNA REMEMBER IS THIS, be aware of the player who acts like he isnt accomplished who is not playing a small limit game OR be aware that you arent being setup with a peek at say 1 card Ok? If someone shows you 1 card (making believe its a mistake) and then raises you in any game but No-Limit its a bluff but in NL it can be your most recent nightmare! lol So thats it from me, yes thats a tip for many of you its ALWAYS a bluff.

[johnc]

Hypothetical Question: If you get a completely accidental peek at someone's card(s) and it results in you profiting from the "accident", how are you going to "politely" tell the person to protect their hand better? One hand? Two hands later? Seems to put one in a rotten position for an entire session for a chance at one pot.