Folding after the river

Hi, I'm a new member here and every time we have a no limit tournament at our house with our friends we always have some questions that need to be answered. One major question that I have after a game that we had sunday was if two or more players bet up until after the river and the betting is over and you both want to see the cards both of you have to flip over your cards dont you. What happened was that one guy would wait until you turned your cards over and if he lost he wouldnt show his cards. What I want to know is that both of the players have to show there cards if they bet until after the river right? If the other player wants to see your cards he has the right to see them since you and him both went to the end right? And another one is that when the betting is just down to two people who is the big blind and who is the small blind? We did it that the dealer was the big blind and the other guy was the small blind, is that right or not? Any help would be greatly appreciated, oh and if you guys could post it from a site with the rules it would be even better, so that the guy knows that it isnt just a couple of guys saying this its actual set of rules from an accredited place. Thanks again.

The last person to bet or raise has to show first if the issue is pressed. Any caller can opt to muck his hand, though by rule any other player who was dealt in to the hand can request that the hole cards of any player who went to showdown be shown.

koolmoe is correct. For example:

Two players left for the showdown.

Player 1 Bets 50
Player 2 Raises it to 500
Player 1 calls
Player 2 must show his cards
Player 1 can muck his cards if he wishes

If player 2 had just called instead of raising, then player 1 would have had to show his cards first.

The rule about anyone dealt a hand being able to view someone's hole cards in the showdown is also true, however it is generally frowned upon. I think thats because it slows down the game, induces bad feelings, and in my opinion goes against the "spirit" of poker.

The Home Games section has a link to a rulebook, and you can ask to see all mucked hands on a river.

Originally Posted by FlyingSaucerAttack

I believe there was a post earlier here on this. I was also confused about this until recently when it was answered.

It is true that it is OK for some to not show their cards and forfeit the pot.
The rule that governs this has to do with who did the last bet into the pot. Folks with more experience in live play please correct me if I am wrong.


So, here are examples involving just 2 players.

On the river, player 1 checks, player 2 bets, player 1 calls. Player 2 must show his cards first, and if player 1 wants to he can muck his cards and forfeit the pot to player 2. Otherwise, if player 1 wants to claim the pot he has to show his cards.
This is because player 2 did the last bet, and player 1 only called. (ie, player 2 is the one who increased the "stake" in the pot.)

Here's another. Player 1 and 2 again. Player 1 bets preflop. Player 2 calls. Player 1 bets the flop, player 2 calls. Player 1 bets the turn, player 2 calls. Player 1 bets the river, player 2 raises, player 1 calls. Player 2 must show first because he did the last bet into the pot. Player 1 can decide to muck or show.