NL holdem - Is this a bet? - You Make the Call

[Rick Nebiolo]

The game is a small buy in no limit holdem game where many of the players normally play limit.

Player A is first to act on the river and grabs his only stack of about 25 chips and quickly pushes them straight out in front of him as far as his arm will go. He holds onto his chips. Player B immediately pushes in an even bigger stack to call. Player A now pulls back his chips and says "I didn't release my chips so I'm not betting".

The floor is called. What is the proper decision? In making your decision, cite which rule and rulebook you are using (e.g., the Ciaffone or Caro/Cooke online rule books, your local casino/card barn rule book, etc.) or just state that your decision is based on what makes sense, what your experience tells you is right, or what seems fair.

Just curious....

~ Rick