Mike Caro

Warren Tampa said:

PokerStars just slammed we free players.  Game replay was taken away but worse, one can no longer c mucked cards, after having made a call.

 

When 1 is on the River and calls a bet and wins, usually the loser mucks his cards.  But the winner is allowed 2c his cards.  PokerStars had this with a red button on the top center of their hand screen.

 

They have removed it.  When I wrote them it was the rules, they sent me some referral to Roberts Rules of Poker or whatever, stating that the mucked cards do NOT have 2b shown. 

 

I always thougth that if u called, then u paid 2c the cards.  Am I wrong & PokerStarts right?

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You are right, Warren. As a courtesy, you should always reveal your showdown cards if requested by an active opponent or — in fact — any player who was dealt into the pot.

It's usually a rule, but perhaps PokerStars is citing something less traditional. I've worked on many poker rule books and all have this rule. Management at most cardrooms will scold players who muck showdown hands after a request to see them. Repeated violations can mean ejection from a game or worse. There is no financial penalty that I'm aware of anywhere, however.

Personally, I never insist on seeing cards, but it's a good rule to have — especially online — because it can protect the integrity of the game and make players more comfortable. I believe online poker-playing software should automatically expose all cards that reach the showdown, providing no option to muck whatsoever.

Straight Flushes,

Mike Caro