Long time lurker, first time poster. Apologies if this has been addressed before.

Weird situation for me in 4-8 limit game. Strategy not exactly relevant, but I'll include it nonetheless.

I am in seat two. The Older Gentleman in seat one has exposed his cards on a number of occasions. He sort of lifts them high off the felt and has a look. I don't perceive this to be a problem with his vision, just a kind of laziness. Of course, I could be wrong about this, but he doesn't bring the cards up to his eyes, the way you sometimes see people do with vision problems.

I have twice pointed it out it to him that I have seen his cards, and in both cases, I folded (this was based on my hand, not his in any way).

He seems annoyed and says something about how I shouldn't be "looking at his cards." After I've said this twice, and gotten the same pissy reply, I stop saying anything.

Here's where it gets tricky.

Kill is on (he has the kill button) and he raises. Before I have even looked at my own cards, I see his hand. He has 9,9. I even could see the suits.

If I remember correctly, he was UTG, so the blinds are posted, but there is no other meaningful action, just his raise.

What do I do now? Look at my hand and make a decision? Tell the dealer what I've seen? Something else?

Once you warn a player once or twice its on him from that point forward. You cant be his babysitter.

Yes.

Its like looking out your window and seeing your hot neighbor getting ready to shower. Your not trying to look, but sometimes you glance over and catch something. Are you going to knock on the door and tell her that you can see her?

Ok this may be a bit different, but after you repeatedly let him know, its his problem. I know its hard to not want to look but then again, its up to the player to keep his cards concealed.

If you wanted to be a "richard" you could be like, " oh yea min raise with AQ of hearts?"

Try not look over i guess?

Honestly though, if I can see a players cards I will tell him, but if i can still see them after that i wont even bother. If I catch more glances in the future then whatever.....Im not tilting my head or moving over to see them purposely.

One time the guy to my right used explicit language towards me in a condescending way when he shoved the river in to me and another player. I folded my A high and told the other players the information I was given... He hadpocket 2s in his hand, no set.

I don't like having an unfair advantage

Thanks for the quick replies.

I ended up doing what you all proposed: looking at my hand. And I had two overs (KQ). I smooth-called. Only the big blind came along, and he dropped when the flop came. A lousy 5, 7, 8. So the Gentleman has an overpair and a gutshot. He's going nowhere. He bets, I call.

Turn was a jack. He bet. I raised. He called. River was a blank. He checked, I bet. He folded with great reluctance.

Happy to take the pot, but I somehow felt crappy about the experience. I can't imagine playing this way if I had played it "straight."

I obviously like to win, but not this way. When he left a few hands later, I was somehow relieved.

Not sure I understand telling us that "he's going nowhere" on the flop because he's got a pair and a gutshot (in 4/8 Limit no less) and then raising the turn trying to rep what I guess is a Jack. Hell, you're lucky he folded the river.

As far as the ethical question, as someone stated, you're not his babysitter, he caused this problem. Play your hand.

see a hand... play your hand.
it's not your fault if another player is weak. I don't even bother trying to warn a person, it's there responsibility. after seeing so many players slouching so low in there chairs that they can barely see over the rail, those weak players should thank me I don't actively try and see there cards.

Two warnings, that's it for me. Except for the one fellow who got really nasty when I warned him. In his case I told the entire table what he had after he limped in and I'd folded.

I don't think there's anything unethical about looking at his cards. It's his own fault he doesn't know how to look at them. I usually just observe and keep it quiet when players do this.

You were doing him a favor warning him that he was exposing his hand, and he responded rudely, which is completely unacceptable.

Just continue playing, and if you see his hand, use that information against him. As for the 99 hand, if I had two unders, I would probably just fold because it won't be worth it to try to blow him off that kind of a hand most of the time.

I posted this a few years ago, but as its WSOP time again and it's relevant (and kinda funny), I think a repost is appropriate:

This actually happened. I was playing at this table when it occurred. I can't remember the exact statements of the players involved, but here's basically the action and what was said:

WSOP $1500 6-Max Event
1236 entries
top 126 players are in the money
about 145 players left
blinds/antes: 400/800/100

Small Blind has about 30K in chips
Big Blind has about 20K in chips

Action folds to the SB who limps in.

BB looks at his cards.

SB: "Hey dude, I told you earlier (which he did), I can see your cards when you're looking at them".

BB: "So what am I supposed to do now that you know my cards? Is this a misdeal?"

Dealer: "No."

SB: "Hey man, I'm just trying to be honest. Your holding your cards up too high and I saw them. I'm just warning you, you gotta be more careful!"

BB: "This is B.S. How am I supposed to play here when that guy is looking at my cards?"

SB: "I wasn't trying to look at your cards, but you held them so high I could see them. I was trying to be a gentleman about it, but now your being a jerk and I'm sorry I told you that I know what you have."

BB: "Man this sucks. OK, screw you, I'm all-in!"

SB: "I know you have T9 offsuit." SB then mucks his hand, but flashes a K before pitching it.

BB: "I knew you wouldn't gamble there".

Grunch :

You have told him twice and all thats happened is he has been rude to you.

The next time I tell him, I tell him at showdown as I scoop a pot.

If he continues to be "pissy" (which he almost inevitably will) I tell him most people dont say anything they just take your money ! If this doesnt get through to him then thats all you can do IMO.

A guy repeatedly lifting his hand too high is essentially doing the same thing as a guy who shows his winning hands all the time when the other player folds - offering free information. Take it!