Talking During Play - Yes or No?

There has been much discussion about whether it's OK to talk about a hand in progress in tournament poker. (It's done all the time in cash games.) For the most part, players talk to get a reaction as to the strength or weakness of their opponent's hand. The question is, "Is it an infraction to tell your opponent what you have or ask him what he has before action is complete?"

Well, I think the rule in question is clear. It's rule No. 34 of the TDA (Tournament Directors Association) Rules, which are the rules that most major tournaments use. It states: "Players, whether in the hand or not, may not discuss the hand until the action is complete. Players are obligated to protect the other players in the tournament at all times. Discussing cards discarded or hand possibilities is not allowed. A penalty may be given for discussion of hands during their play."

The motivation may be suspect, and the implementation of "A penalty may be given … " is vague, but it is clear that discussion of a hand during play is a violation of the rules. Announcing your hand to get a reaction is no different than exposing your hand to get one (another rules violation).

The reality of rule 34 is that it leads to a problem of magnitude. What is considered discussing the hand and what's not? Could one say to his opponent, "Can you beat top set?" or, "Do you want me to call your bluff?" or, "So, you made the flush, did you?" How about mumbling softly, "That card helped you, huh?" Any of these could be considered discussing the hand, but should/would a penalty be assessed for saying these types of things?

There seems to be a fine line between what you can say and what you can't. If something said during the play of a hand is considered a violation, what is the penalty? (If there is no penalty for a violation, it's not a rule, it's just a suggestion.)

Well-known Tournament Director Matt Savage says talking about a hand during play is an infraction, and a penalty should be given (most likely a 10-minute penalty). The problem is, how do you remove the subjectivity and ambiguity, and where do you draw the line as to what can be said?

Would tournament poker be better off by letting players say what they really have and/or make you wonder if they're lying about it? Should players be allowed to use table talk to their advantage? Could/should an amendment to the current rule be made to at least allow talking when play is heads up? (This seems to be the most popular idea among players.)

Poker player/dealer Greg Raymor said, "Once the hand is heads up, even though it's true that the outcome of that hand has an impact on everybody still in the tourney, it is clear that a player who starts talking is doing so only for his own personal benefit, even if it coincidentally helps someone else. I think it should be allowed as a normal part of the game."

Poker is a people game played with cards. Should we take away the psychology of the game with rules that limit the table banter? If so, will poker lose something?

We've all seen how TV has benefited everyone in the poker world. Certainly, allowing table talk during the play of the hand would make for better shows on TV. Perhaps this should be reason enough to allow table talk when the action is reduced to two players.

Take care.

Mike Sexton is the host of PartyPoker.com and a commentator on the World Poker Tour, which can be seen on the Travel Channel at 9 p.m. EST/PST every Wednesday.