The Great Debate -- Does Asking "Check" Constitute a Check

Chad Holloway

Level 13 : 1,000/2,000, 300 ante

A small hand just took place between Khorshid Sakhra and Chris Hunichen that called into question what constitutes a check. Let's start from the beginning.

Sakhra opened for 4,600 from late position and Hunichen defended from the big blind. Both players checked the flop, and then Hunichen bet 4,200 on the turn. Sakhra made the call and then Hunichen announced a check on the river.

"Check?" Sakhra asked in a tone that indicated a question. The dealer, who took it as such, replied in the affirmative. "Did he check?" Sakhra asked again just to be clear. The dealer reiterated that Hunichen had in fact checked.

However, with "check" being the first word out of Sakhra's mouth, Hunichen assumed that he had checked and nearly tabled his hand.

"Did you check?" Hunichen asked Sakhra, who stated that he did not. He then placed put a minimum bet of 2,000. "We may need to get a floor over here," Hunichen stated.

It was his belief, based upon prior experiences, that regardless of tone, Sakhra said the word check, so it needed to stand as such. The dealer explained that it was a question, but Hunichen, who understood that fact, was adamant it didn't matter.

A floor person was called, who listened to the situation and agreed with the dealer, stating the 2,000 bet would stand. Hunichen was not satisfied.

Tournament Director Toby Stone was then called over. He first listened to Hunichen's version of events, and then turned his attention to the dealer. After taking everything into consideration, Stone ruled that "in fairness of the game" the bet would stand.

"It's a terrible ruling," Hunichen blatantly quipped. Nonetheless, it was the ruling and action was on him.

By this point several players at the table were visibly frustrated, and before long one of them called the clock. The original floor person, who hadn't left the table, began the one-minute countdown, and Hunichen let every single second tick off before his hand was declared dead.

Just for kickers, Sakhra showed the .