showdown rule in home poker

pokerjoker · #1 09-15-2005, 04:52 PM

Does the loser have to show his hand if asked? In all casinos and online games I have played you can see all players hole cards if it goes to showdown. Do you play this rule for homegames too?

ChuckyB · #2 09-15-2005, 05:20 PM

For us it depends on the quality of the game. If there are a number of people who don't know what's going on, we just have everyone show.

If the players are better, the loser almost never shows. If he was asked by someone who was in the hand, he'd have to...although that has never happened in 9 months of our weekly game.

Seeing the losers cards is all about preventing cheating, so people could get pissy if you ask to see them. But if you suspect something is going on, ask away...then consider if you want to invite that person back.

#3 09-16-2005, 12:29 AM

If the loser was the last to bet and the bet was called then he has to show his cards. Even if the caller has the best hand, you can think of it that the caller paid to see the bettor's hand. Sometimes the bettor will just muck his cards when his bluff is caught, but if someone asks to see his cards he has to show.

-d

Lottery Larry · #4 09-16-2005, 08:03 AM

Technically correct. However, asking to see losing hole cards just to get information is bad form and at a home game tends to be counterproductive. If you suspect cheating or something, then maybe you can ask.

Otherwise, avoid it. I'd especially try to prevent people knocked out earlier in the hand from steaming and demanding to see the loser's cards.

#5 09-16-2005, 09:41 AM

Good point -- especially at a home game that's supposed to be for fun, you don't want to push someone into showing their cards. I've seen it done numerous times at Casino tournaments, though, because players want that information.

What I'll usually do when I've called someone's bet is to not immediately show my hand. I'll ask them what they have, then I'll only show my hand if I've won. Although if they're acting like they were caught bluffing and are waiting to see my cards so they can muck, I'll just show, especially in a home game.

#6 09-16-2005, 10:17 AM

we do at our homegames

4_2_it · #7 09-16-2005, 10:44 AM

Goods points. If you play in a regular home game this should never be an issue because in a short you will be familar with each player's style and patterns.

#8 09-21-2005, 11:18 AM

As far as I'm concerned - if I'm in the showdown, part of what I've paid for to get to that point is to see the other guy's hand. Bad form or no, I'll get that info every time.

Technically - anyone at a table can ask to see an unshown hand. You will be tossed from a casino for asking too many time to see a hand IF you were not in the showdown. You will never be penalized for asking to see an opponents hand if you were actually in the showdown with him. Your opponent may not like having to show - but if he doesn't want to show he should duck out before getting a chance to win the pot...

Lottery Larry · #9 09-21-2005, 04:35 PM

"Bad form or no, I'll get that info every time."

Bad idea- how much more info do you need than their hand didn't win? You'll see enough of their hands to get the info you need without being an ass.

Be warned- if you sit at my table and pull that constantly, I'll make you show every hand you have, even if I have to yell from the bathroom.

Altaslim · #10 09-21-2005, 06:14 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Technically - anyone at a table can ask to see an unshown hand. You will be tossed from a casino for asking too many time to see a hand IF you were not in the showdown. You will never be penalized for asking to see an opponents hand if you were actually in the showdown with him. Your opponent may not like having to show - but if he doesn't want to show he should duck out before getting a chance to win the pot...

[/ QUOTE ]

Technically, this rule is designed to prevent cheating, not to give your unattentive weak-tight butt an excuse to see everyone's cards. You do this a few times in my home game and you'll be picking up your teeth.