I was down at my local casino tonight and i tried to raise pre-flop.
I just threw my chips in and *then* said i'll raise xxx.
Then someone jumped in and said you cant do that, its a string bet, and it was an illegal move and an automatic call. They say you have to say raise before you put your chips in.

I argued the toss, things got said, tempers flaired and i probably wont be going back there for a while.
It was an MTT and there was no dealer on our table to ask.
But were they right? Is it 'illegal' to just throw your chips in.
To me it seems common sense that if you put more in than the last player then its a raise. but meh....

They have some strange rules down there... asking how much is in the pot means you have to bet the pot...