I guess technically you’re both right as it isn’t really a universal rule it’s just more of a universal procedure that isn’t always followed

We had bigger problems in the self dealt tourney I played in one time. Dealers weren't burning any cards...

I would have handled it the same way as I am a rules nit. And I would have told piniochle guy that he wasn't playing with a full deck.

This varies from room to room and there are even variations on how its applied. I was at the Borgota when a Floor was explaining to a Dealer not to announce bet sizes unless asked. I asked the Floor what the dealer should do if there was a single high denomination chip at the bottom of the bet stack. The Floor said the Dealer should break it out so everyone could see it. But not if there were two or more big chips.

At Foxwoods some dealers announce bet sizes some don't. The only thing I really care about is that the dealers are consistent (and they are for the most part - huge improvement in FW dealers since they are not pooling tips).

I play in a room where the tournament $5k chips are similar in color to the $100 chips and with the lighting and chips being stacked together seem impossible to discern from each other. So with the dealers that dont announce the raise amount, its my procedure to ask every time for a count but Our floor wants it announced only when asked.

Never argue with idiots. They drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience. Instead, take advantage of being considered a noob and pocket their money. "Sorry, just must be beginner's luck that I won."