Strange Live Game Situation. Opinions?

So, today, I was playing in a tournament at a local card room and came up against a very strange situation.

I was in the big blind with 66 and called a raise from middle position. The flop came 25A rainbow, I checked, the chap followed through with 2k following his 2k raise. I repopped it to 5k, leaving 3k behind me, knowing he didn't have an Ace, putting him on an underpair 99-JJ. Anyway, he says "You're ahead" puts the extra 3k in and throws his cards over. Now, he has chips behind, as do I, neither is all on, but he thought I was and flipped over his cards (Pocket 9s).
Should his cards have been deemed dead? Ignoring the play, what should have happened here?

*sigh*

No, his hand isn't dead. Hands are actually very hard to kill. The hand plays out as normal and your opponent may or may not get a penalty at the discretion of the tournament director after the hand is over.

Here are the rules on it (emphasis added):

ROBERT'S RULES, IRREGULARITIES, RULE 12:

12. Procedure for an exposed card varies with the poker form, and is given in the section for each game. A card that is flashed by a dealer is treated as an exposed card. A card that is flashed by a player will play. To obtain a ruling on whether a card was exposed and should be replaced, a player should announce that the card was flashed or exposed before looking at it. A downcard dealt off the table is an exposed card.

ROBERT'S RULES, TOURNAMENTS, RULE 22:

22. Showing cards from a live hand during the action injures the rights of other players still competing in an event, who wish to see contestants eliminated. A player in a multihanded pot may not show any cards during a deal. Heads-up, a player may not show any cards unless the event has only two remaining players, or is winner-take-all. If a player deliberately shows a card, the player may be penalized (but his hand will not be ruled dead). Verbally stating one’s hand during the play may be penalized.

and just for the lulz...

POKER TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS' ASSOCIATION RULE 42:

42. Exposing Cards. A player who exposes his cards with action pending may incur a penalty, but will not have a dead hand. The penalty will begin at the end of the hand.

Thanks for that. Put me in a tough spot. The dealer said that his hand stood, the bets stood, he couldn't raise, but could call or fold and I could do whatever. Anyway, the turn came a K, I insta jam and he sits there whinging for 5 minutes before a hero call and KOs me.

That is a good ruling.
You have the advantage of seeing his cards and know exactly where you stand in the hand.
You have the advantage that you can still bet, but all he can do is call or fold.
It also makes it fun because you have the opportunity to get out cheaper knowing you have lost, or you can try and play mind games.

Watch the cogs turning:
Why would he raise if he couldn't beat what he can see?
But he knows that I would think that so maybe that's what he wants me to think because he needs me to fold?
But it maybe a double bluff thinking that I would think that so that he gets more money?
Head Explodes.

You've got to love it, it makes the game so much more interesting.


I've been in that situation before as well, and also decided to play the mind games, I loved it just for the fun of it.

Yea fair ruling. You wouldnt have considered folding if he didnt show right ?

TD's seem to be acting more and more in favour of fairness, rather than rule nits. I always like that stance.