Touching the pot to count it?

TheEleven · #1 01-10-2005, 01:04 AM

Last night I was playing in a friendly home game. Small stakes - $20 buy-in NL sit and go's basically.

Question is: during one hand, heads-up, one player went all-in. The other player in the hand started grabbing at the pot and stacking it to get an accurate count so he could calculate the pot odds. Is this allowable while the hand is live? If not, can the dealer or someone not involved in the hand physically touch the pot to get an accurate count for him?

Like I said, it's a real friendly game, but I was still taken aback that anyone would actually touch the pot while action was still live.

Thoughts?

Shilly · #2 01-10-2005, 02:00 AM

I don't think that this is a big deal. He has a right to know how much is in the pot, so that shouldn't be a factor.

If you're worried about players touching the chips while involved in the hand, just agree to have the dealer do it when necessary.

Riverboat Willie · #3 01-10-2005, 02:02 AM

I agree with Shilly here, it's almost the exact same answer i would have given.

jalsing · #4 01-10-2005, 04:49 PM

While no big deal, I'd still think a player with enough intelligence to use pot odds, could keep track of the pot size...

alittle · #5 01-10-2005, 04:56 PM

I tend to agree it's not a big deal, but could see how people might freak out if you just start reaching towards the pot. I think it would be common courtesy to say "I'm going to count the pot" before reaching, so others can watch you do it if they are so inclined. I think you should also state the amount for everyone when done - "it's $3275".

I also agree though that you should have a pretty decent idea of the pot size without having to count it.

Fins · #6 01-10-2005, 05:33 PM

I think the pot is totally the dealer's responsibility and only the dealer should handle/count/award etcc... the pot. I also don't think the pot should be counted unless it's accuracy is questioned or your playing pot limit. It's up to the player to keep track if it's important to him.

- Fins

random · #7 01-11-2005, 05:41 AM

I always thought this was not allowed. I thought that's why dealers are always knocking stacks over on tv.

Hedge Henderson · #8 01-13-2005, 05:37 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I think the pot is totally the dealer's responsibility and only the dealer should handle/count/award etcc... the pot.

[/ QUOTE ]

I suppose it depends on the game you're playing in and who the dealer is.

In the home game I host (and another I play in), I'm one of perhaps three people who can be trusted to do such things accurately and quickly. Generally, I only step in and count/split the pot when I'm out of a hand, but not always. Between alcohol and the pipe, not everyone at the table (we rotate the deal) is able to, especially if we get into a main pot/side pot situation in Omaha/8.

You know more about your game than we do, TheEleven, but if it's really a friendly game, it's probably no big deal.

3rdEye · #9 01-13-2005, 09:43 AM

My friends and I do that all the time. I don't see why anyone should care, unless they're anal.

Stew · #10 01-13-2005, 11:16 PM

[ QUOTE ]
My friends and I do that all the time. I don't see why anyone should care, unless they're anal.

[/ QUOTE ]

To be honest, the reason why people care is b/c you aren't supposed to do it. if you can't keep track of the pot mentally, then that person should work on their pot-counting skills. The reason why it isn't allowed is b/c in a casino someone could reach in the pot, count it and palm a chip in the process. This could obviously also happen in a home game. Now, I'm not saying it's likely, but that's why it isn't permissible in a casino. Bottom line is if you can't do it in a casino, then why do it in a home game. But, it's a home game so people can theoretically do whatever they wish within the rules of the house or the host or the tournament rules.