World Series of Poker Decisions

The World Series of Poker is well under way as I write this, and instead of playing in the handful of events that I would normally play, I was somehow talked into working at the WSOP this year as the financial host. This has allowed me to make and see a wide variety of decisions at the poker tables.

One of the most interesting decisions was made in the $2,000 buy-in seven-card stud eight-or-better event. Here is the situation as it happened:

Three players were involved in the hand. On fifth street, all three players received their upcards. Player C bet all in, and was called by players A and B. The dealer delivered sixth street to players A and B, but forgot to give a sixth-street card to player C. There was a bet and a call between players A and B, and then the dealer delivered seventh street to players A and B. At this point, someone at the table realized that player C had not been given his sixth- and seventh-street cards. Jim Miller, the tournament co-director, was called to the game to make a decision. Given the information above, what decision would you make?

Jim listened to the dealer and the players as they described the situation, and then ruled that player C's hand was dead, and he was eliminated from the tournament. That's a pretty harsh decision, don't you think? After all, this player was being eliminated from a major tournament without even having a chance to contest the pot to which he had committed all of his chips.

For obvious reasons, player C was upset with the ruling, because he felt the dealer had made a mistake and he shouldn't have to pay for that error. But what about the player's responsibility? If the dealer does make a mistake, shouldn't the player be paying close enough attention to say something before it is too late? If I was involved in a pot that was going to decide my fate in a WSOP tournament, I surely would make certain that I was getting all of my cards.

In my opinion, Jim made the correct decision. Not only was it the correct decision, it was realistically the only decision that could be made. Player C had an opportunity to realize that he didn't get his sixth-street card as soon as the dealer didn't deliver it. Then, he had time while players A and B were betting to realize it and call attention to the mistake. Finally, he could have stopped play before seventh street was dealt. Had he stopped the action at any point during sixth street and before seventh street was dealt, he would have received his sixth-street card and been able to continue in the hand and contest for the pot.

This is the type of ruling that any floorperson hates to make. No one wants to see a player knocked out of a tournament because of a situation such as this. The bottom line is that each player is responsible for making sure that his financial interests in a pot are protected. As a player, you must pay attention and make sure that you are being dealt the proper cards and being awarded the proper amount from a pot. If the situation can be corrected in time, it will, but once the action moves to the next round of betting, it cannot be backed up.

It's unfortunate that this player was eliminated from the biggest and best tournament in the world because of this situation, but it is a lesson from which all players can learn, and a situation in which I'm sure this particular player won't find himself again.

Editor's note: Michael O'Malley can usually be found playing online at partypoker.com as Rzitup. To learn more about him, go to www.rzitup.com.