SELECTIVELY correcting dealer errors

[DrewOnTilt]

Recently there was a discussion on these boards as to whether or not one should point out a dealer error when not involved in the pot. Many people (including yours truly) opined that it is the responsibility of the dealer to determine who is awarded the pot, that the players involved should pay close attention to ensure that mistakes are not made, and that onlookers should keep quiet.

I still believe that this is generally the correct thing to do when not involved in the pot, UNLESS the mistake will hurt a fishy player. Before turning a blind eye to a dealer error, think about which player you would prefer to be armed with a big stack.

Tonight at a live game, a good player was up against a fishy player, and the board was
Q [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]Q [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] blank A [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]K [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img].

The good player showed down Q [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]J [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] and the fishy player showed down Q [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]3 [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]

The dealer said, "Trip queens, Jack kicker," and pushed the whole pot to the good player, not realizing that the river Ace had counterfeited his kicker, and that the pot should be chopped.

Sorry, but I had to speak up. It is -EV to let a man who will play Q [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]3 [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] get cleaned out before I have a chance at his chips.

The table's reaction to my interjection was hilarious, as I endured a slew of glares and insults from the Q [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]J [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] player and his buddies, while others patted me on the back and thanked me for "doing the right thing" [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] apparently not understanding that the only reason that I spoke up was because I wanted a fair shot at the fish's money.

Just something to consider the next time you see a dealer error and are not involved in the pot.