In Poker is allow to show your hand if still playing and try to read reactions?

Question

I have a friend that used to show is hand before he decide to fold or pay, and waste a couple of second figuring out his final decision but in that time he read the other people faces and then he makes his mind, what his the protocol in that situation???

Answer 1

Generally showing your hand is allowed only when heads up with one other opponent and in a cash game. Showing one's hand is generally not allowed in a tournament at any time. If you do show your hand on purpose in a situation when it's not allowed, you will get a penalty away from the table for a predetermined amount of time (paying blinds and antes but not allowed to play).



Of course every casino and house have their own rules for these situations, so it's best to ask before you make such a move. For example, showing your hand when heads up is allowed on NBC's Poker After Dark which is a tournament. However, if you purposely show your hand during a World Series of Poker event, you will get yourself a 20 minute penalty.



Goodluck.

Answer 2

Its not illegal to show your hand at any time. However, it is risky because then people will see your hand, see how you were playing and then be able to read you easily in the future. Also, if he showed his hand then 'read; the others reactions, they musn't have been to experienced. The people I play with (and myself) have almost no expression at all when playing.

Answer 3

It's not good etiquette, but its not disallowed.