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Deal Me In: Mucking has multiple meanings

19 July 2013

Dear Mark: I was catching up on my "required reading" and noticed your June 12 column concerning a poker irregularity. This reminded me of a question I have. Pick a game, any game. Consider a situation where, in the final round of betting, I have bet and been called. I show my cards and my opponent mucks. Can I demand to see their cards even though they have conceded the pot? I might want to do this to learn more about their style of play, or why they thought they had a winning hand. Van L.

The word “muck” is used one of two ways in poker. The collection of face down cards near the dealer composed of discards and folded hands is called the muck. In the verb form, "He didn't have any outs, so he mucked his hand."

With your scenario, because an opposing player called your bet, typically that player is not required to show you his or her cards.

You can always ask, but many players will deny your request, simply because the quality of someone’s playing style – bluff/semi-bluff/reasonable hand – when they call, then muck their cards, would give other players an insight into their game. Although plenty of players think it’s poor gamesmanship if you don’t show your cards, others believe you should reveal as little information possible. You want to leave people wondering whether you folded due to barely being beat, or because you never had a hand in the first place.

There are card rooms that allow any player to see the mucked hand at the showdown. This rule was originally set up to avoid collusion. Also, if you're playing in a tournament, all cards will be turned over, regardless of who went all in, or where the action is; flop, turn, or river.

Here’s the deal, Van. Even though both players do not have to show their hands in cash games in the majority of poker rooms across the US, there is absolutely no definitive set of rules that are followed everywhere. Thus, house rules trump Hoyle.

Dear Mark: In poker, if you muck your hand, is your hand automatically dead? My poker group is 50/50 on this question. We await your response. Gordon R.

The "act" of mucking your cards does not automatically cause a dead hand.

For most card games, whether at the friendly confines of your kitchen table, or in a card room, the rule is “cards speak.” Your poker hand is what it is, regardless of how you call, miscall and in certain circumstances, muck your cards.

Any verbal declaration as to the content of a player’s hand, or mucking it, is not necessarily binding. If someone physically mucks their hand or verbally claims that their hand is worthless, but in fact had a straight, their cards speak, and their hand is viewed for its genuine value. That is, Gordon, as long as the folded hand didn’t hit the muck pile or any other player’s card(s). If any card did, the dealer would rightfully rule their hand dead, and the thrower automatically withdraws from participation in the pot.

Gambling Wisdom of the Week: “We would now like to acknowledge our American friends who account for about 80 percent of the casinos' attendance. By emptying your pockets, you've helped pay down our debt and ease our taxes. We call that mighty neighborly.” – The Windsor Star (Canada)
Mark Pilarski

As a recognized authority on casino gambling, Mark Pilarski survived 18 years in the casino trenches, working for seven different casinos. Mark now writes a nationally syndicated gambling column, is a university lecturer, author, reviewer and contributing editor for numerous gaming periodicals, and is the creator of the best-selling, award-winning audiocassette series on casino gambling, Hooked on Winning.
Mark Pilarski
As a recognized authority on casino gambling, Mark Pilarski survived 18 years in the casino trenches, working for seven different casinos. Mark now writes a nationally syndicated gambling column, is a university lecturer, author, reviewer and contributing editor for numerous gaming periodicals, and is the creator of the best-selling, award-winning audiocassette series on casino gambling, Hooked on Winning.