Quote:
Originally Posted by jacmrose
I have a procedure question that came up today that I wasn't sure on.
I was in the BB today and it limped around to me. I had a red chip out there for my blind and I took it back and replaced it with a green chip to raise to $25. UTG called and it folded around to the button who claimed that because I didn't say raise, it was just a call. I argued that it was probably pretty clear that I was raising since I removed a $5 chip that covered the $3 needed to call and replaced it with a green chip. He said that the rule was when you throw in one chip it is a call and the dealer said that he was technically correct. I agree with the rule that tossing in one chip before you have acted is a call, but I figured that since I removed my blind and threw in more money that it would be a valid raise. The button relented and made the call, but it was just a weird situation and I'm not sure what the right answer is.
With your red chip in the BB you are playing $3. When it has been limped back to you, you have the option, correct? The options are to call or to raise (and to fold, but that’s not optimal play). If you wanted to call you would have either said call or tapped the table. You did not do that but rather you chose to replace your red chip (playing 3) with the higher green chip, which is your right to do with the option. The fact you were silent would not matter as your intention is to exercise your option with a raise to the full value of the green chip, $25.
With that being said, verbalizing raises always makes clear your intent. Of course some players prefer not vocalizing in order to reduce tells, but that is the trade off - clarity of intent vs. risk of signaling your hand strength.