Be Careful What You Say at the Poker Table

Just before the break, and interesting hand took place that evidenced just why it's so important to be clear when you speak.

The hand began when France's Franck Kalfon opened for 525 under the gun and Ami Barer called from early position. The player on the button made the call, and then Germany's Alexander Stadler three-bet to 2,100 from the small blind. Kalfon called, as did Barer, and then the button folded to make it three-way action to the flop.

All three players checked, and the dealer promptly burned and turned the .

"Four," Stadler said as he gently placed a single blue T5,000 chip on the felt. It was clear that the German intended to bet 4,000, but per the rules — which dictate such an announcement made with a single chip be rounded down to the lowest denomination — the dealer verbally declared it 400. Stadler either did not hear the dealer or opted not to correct him.

At that point, Kalfon tossed in four red T1,000 chips for what he thought was a call of 4,000. When the dealer announced it was a raise to 4,000, Kalfon and a few others at the table were taken aback and quite unhappy. Meanwhile, the other half of the table stated it was the correct decision and that the dealer had indeed said "400."

The floor was eventually called over, and much to Kalfon's dismay, backed up the dealer's declaration. The raise stood, and Barer quickly folded. Stadler, who had intended to make it 4,000 in the first place, just called and then both players checked the river. Kalfon tabled the for a pair of aces, but his kicker was no good as Stadler held the .

The Frenchman bemoaned the situation a bit more, but eventually everyone made their way to the exit for the break with a lesson firmly in mind — be careful what you say at the poker table.

Meanwhile, Philip Andrew Patrick was the last elimination of Level 2.