Cash Game Authority

I was playing in a $5 private tournament style with about 9 players. As the game wound down I was the dealer and player X went all in. All the hands, 2 or three were face up, and player X pulled all the chips from the pot in front of him. He was essentially saying he won the hand. The cards said he did not and I, the dealer said that he had not won. I prevailed and he was irate and said since I wasn't in the hand I shouldn't have said anything.

As the dealer I felt obligated to call the hand. Another player sided with me in that it hadn't been agreed before the game that a player had to call his hand to win.

Player X has been known to pull and attempt to pull a fast one once in a while.

Should I have stayed out of it? If that's the case what's to prevent him or anyone from overstating their hand against an unsuspecting/trusting player.

In my opinion,as the dealer, you are responsible for the play of the hand and have every right to have your input in the situation.
In most friendly games the cards speak for themselves, unless otherwise stated prior that each player must call there own hand.
I believe you handled it appropriately!



Snow

home games I believe, the cards should speak for themselves. I would not tolerate someone just pulling the chips to them hoping that the person who actually won wouldn't say anything. The dealer I believe, has every right to step in and declare the winning hand. In my home games, we are all friends. no one has ever tried to pull a fast one, ever. if anyone did, or if there was a bit of confusion initially then I would expect anyone to jump in and say a mistake has been made, and between us, the person who thought he'd won would have no issues with it.

I would tell him to shut up and not to bother coming if he does that again (if indeed he has clearly tried it on numerous occasions). you did everything right. you're the dealer so you should intervene.

If hands are face-up, the cards speak. If he is intentionally trying to deceive that's a pretty bad angle and I'd tell him to quit doing it or he won't be invited back (unless it's his game or w/e).

If the cards are turn up the cards play themselves. If a player mucks his hand too bad.

i think the dealer or any player has the right to step in here. you said he has been known to pull a fast one, which would mean a form of cheating. i would never allow someone to do this to my friends or myself. congrats on stepping up for your friend.