An Angle Shoot?

[kevyk]

Last weekend, I was at the Borgata in AC, when the following situation came up:

(I was playing in a small NL cash game)

A player raised on the flop, all players behind him folded, except for one, who went all-in. The original raiser spread his hand face-up, and declared that he had not folded but was just trying to get a read on the other player. After a brief pause, he called.

How legal is this play? I inquired at the time, and the dealer, who also sometimes manages the floor, replied that it was legal as long as there were no other players waiting to act.

Is this rule the same at all casinos, or does it vary? Does it matter that I was playing in a cash game vs. a tournament?

Replies much appreciated; I am attempting to solve an old argument with my home-game friends.