Would you do it?

In my city, we have local tournaments almost every night somewhere. There are about 80 people who usually play. I only play on Saturday when they have 2 tournaments.
Anyway, a younger guy (around 40) died last week. He's a great player but I've never played against him myself.
His funeral was on Saturday. As a sign of respect, his brother asked that everyone fold their cards on the first hand. Everyone knew they'd lose there $25/$50 blind. Some of the tables didn't even look at their cards.
From what I heard from others, if you were playing him, you'd probably fold anyway.
I mentioned this (though not in so much detail) on rounders radio yesterday and several people said they wouldn't fold no matter what!
Do you think this was unreasonable and would you have folded?

That sounds absolutely bizarre. Why not just have a minute's silence? How is folding around a hand a 'mark of respect' - was the person in question an overly tight nit or something?

To be honest I wouldn't dare be the first to object (aside from merely suggesting the minute's silence as an alternative), but I'd probably add my voice to any dissenters.

I don't know why his brother wanted it, but no one seemed to mind. If it made him feel good knowing people were somehow "acknowledging" his brother I'd do it.
Having lost my mom (still not over that), I didn't see what the big deal was.

was he by any chance sitting in the big blind taking all the free money? only messing, ye i would have folded, even though it is strange just because i wouldnt want to upset the brother

Hard to say what I'd do right there in the moment due to the situation, but for now I'll say that I would not fold. I have friends away from the poker table and would gladly give a moment of silence. However we all know that in poker you don't have friends at the poker table, so a moment of silence beforehand is fine, but folding around is silly IMO. Did they also deal him a hand to be folded?

well all anyone lost was the chance to play the hand right ? except the small blind who would end up losing it to the BB . I would have folded and suggested that the big blind donate the money to the brother or buy flowers from everyone. very weird though .

how bout everyone call (family pot ) then check it down to river and the winner donates half.

RIP BROTHER my prayers for the entire family .

Sounds like he's saying "Everybody fold. He would've wanted it that way."

I can't really say if I would have or not. Depends on the hand

The only way I'm doing this is if the person who has died is dealt in as BB at each table, and if it was his wishes!

I agree with DM and JD a moment of silence before the game and donations could have been made to the family!

RIP

Well I would make sure I didn't look at my cards and if I was in the SB I'd want my chips back. It's a pretty weird thing to do, like some other people I'd prefer just a moment of silence.

He was a great card player who ran the big cash game at our tournaments. When you play with a group of people several times a week, you do become friends sometimes.
The tournaments are free to play in, so no one really lost any money. I forgot to mention that earlier. (sorry).
That probably makes a big difference, huh?

Echo! I think people want to show their respect in these kinds of situations but are at a severe loss as to how to go about doing it. As result, the first idea that surfaces is what gets done, regardless of how unusual it is.

Well I Wouldnt Mind If It. As Long As I Wasnt Sb Or bb Lol. Or If I had Rockets Or Cowboys Then Id Get Kinda Angry But I mean Why Not Moment Of Silence as dorkus mentioned. seems to make more sense to me. its like if a pro basketball player died would u want both teams to miss a layup each? lol