Probably just a really stupid beginner question but...

[eagleguy34]

I've seen Texas Hold'em a few times on TV, and if I recall correctly sometimes players flip over their cards after the flop or the 3rd round of betting, at which point no more betting rounds take place. Wherever I read a set of rules for Texas Hold'em online though, I never have read anything that details this situation. If anyone could clarify if I am just making this up or if this is actually a legal move to make I would greatly appreciate it.

[Fat Tony]

this occurs when one or more of the players involved in the hand is "all-in" because no more betting is possible. if more than one of the players still has chips left after covering an all-in bet, then this would not happen because betting would still be possible. the situation you describe usually occurs during heads-up play.

[K-rug]

Just to expand on Fat Tony's reply. I'll give you a few examples. Let's assume this all happens after the flop.

With two people:
Player A goes All-In for $500
Player B calls
Both flip up their cards and the rest of the board is delt. A winner is declared.

However...
With three or more people.
Player A goes All-In for $500
Player B has $1500 so he calls the $500
Player C has $1000 so he calls the $500.
At this point since two or more people still have chips NO ONE flips their cards over. 4th street or the river is delt. The action would start with Player B.
Now...
Player B bets $200
Player C rasies $300 for an All-In
Player B calls

Player A,B and C now all flip over their cards with a main pot of $1500 and a side pot of $1000. 5th street or the river is delt and the winner/winners would be declared.

Make sense?

[eagleguy34]

That does make sense.

For some reason or another, I thought this scenario could also play out at the end of any betting round even if no one has run out of chips yet. For instance, during the betting round after the flop, player A raises the pot to $10, player B calls that, and then flips his cards over so no more betting rounds will take place. I know this is probably wrong, but can anyone confirm that I am just making things up?

[ballbp]

A player can't flip his cards before all rounds are over to stop the betting. Only when one person is all-in is the betting over.

[skel]

I would love it if the other player would flip over his cards before the betting round is over

[eagleguy34]

Ok thanks for the clarifications everyone.

[K-rug]

Actually, there is not a rule that I am aware of that states the person cannot flip over their cards prior to the end of betting or at any time for that matter.

In fact, and I am not proud of this but I did it once in a NL tourney this guy was being a complete prick all night long. Betting huge to steal almost every pot. I floped an A high flush. He had a high pocket pair K's I think. Betting starts on 4th street and I bet half my stack knowing he would call. What I didn't plan on was his re-raise. I should have though as he had been trying to bully people all night.

I immediately went all in. He sat there for a some time closw to 15 minutes throwing out explitives and saying things like, WTF was that? F-You! Blah, blah, blah, blah. He was so convinced that I was bluffing I said, "Here, I'll make it easier on you." and flipped over my low card so he could see I had four to a flush. He made some comment about how I was bluffing and after several more minutes called my all-in. I flipped over the Ace. I think I heard him dirty his pants and he shut up very quickly and stopped being a dick. I knocked him out a little later.

Needless to say when I did that the table gasped in horror. However, there was no rule that stated I could not do it. The host agreed and let play continue.

It obviously was only him and I in the hand or I would not have done so. But it felt sooooo good to screw with him. It also put him in his place fast. I think I finished second overal in that tourney.

But the bottom line is, you should never ever turn over your cards unless you have to.

[boden12]

Well you could also flip up your cards when it's like heads up and you fold at any point. Or when it's on the river and there are player(s) ahead of you but you can close the action by calling you could throw them up as it won't change anything since everyone else has already called.

I hate people who slowroll at the end tho. Like a few weeks ago I was playing some $4/8 and had A10s in early position with only like $15 left or something measly. I raised preflop, get 2 callers and I go all in and get headsup with one player on the flop. I flip up my completely missed A10 and he just sits there with his cards covered. He finally hits his one card straight (had J7o) on the river and then slowly flips him up (had only Jack high till then). Most ahole move I have ever seen.

Someone did the same thing too when I was playing NL cash at a casino. Had 52o in BB and one guy calls, I check. Flop is 345 checked to me and I bet $20, he calls. Turn is a J, we both check and then a 6 on the river. He bets $20 and I go all in. Now mind you this guy is big stacked and all he had to do was say call and flip up his cards. But nooooo he has to sit there and count out his bet, match it and then see what I made with my cards before he flips up the K7 for a higher straight.

[boden12]

Another good way to do this is when you win a pot uncontested with a good hand but flip up your horrible card to needle your opponent. Works awesome with pocket pairs you limped in with. Like with a board of A2K82 and you have pocket 8s. Flip up one of those eights and then rake the pot.

[K-rug]

Yeah boden I hate slow rollers. We have a rule at my tourney. No Slow Rolling... So that stops that. Either show them or don't. None of this half assed chit.

[Johnny T]

Just an addition to the original question. If two players are heads up and all-in, are they forced to show their cards, or is it just the 'done thing' to add a bit of tension for the turn and river ?

[Underbelly]

I've seen a player on WSOP warned telling on to what cards he is holding. I assume than it against the rules. Therefor I'd assume it is against the rules to show your cards before betting has stopped.

[Johnny T]

I've seen a player on WSOP warned telling on to what cards he is holding. I assume than it against the rules. Therefor I'd assume it is against the rules to show your cards before betting has stopped.

I think it is against the rules to show your cards before betting has stopped, but is it compulsory to show your cards when you are heads up and all-in?

Or is it just the 'done thing' ?

[vegasholdem]

Thats not a stupid question since we've all had to ask it .....am i right?
8)