DeathDonkey

Alright Poker, we need to talk. Winning a pot on a technicality like this should never feel right. Yes, it is every player’s responsibility to protect their hand and their action. I have ruled on this exact spot more times than I can count. But in the example, at showdown both players have a Queen high flush on the board before anyone even tables their cards. To win the whole pot, a player should have to show something better than that. The QQ did not. Awarding the full pot when his best five cards are the board, identical to his opponent, is illogical. Even the announcer says “flips over a set of Queens,” which we know is not accurate. This spot has tripped up even the most seasoned pro. I am not suggesting we allow players to muck freely in these situations. The correct result should be a split pot. Both players are playing the board with a Queen high flush. Issue a warning for failing to properly table the hand. If the behavior repeats, escalate to a penalty. Poker should reward the best hand, not technicalities.

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