"It's Not Rocket Science"

Some of the subtle differences in the tournament rules here in France are creating huge problems for the foreigners in the room. We recently witnessed a massive ordeal at Table 4. Here's what happened:

From the hijack seat, Patrice Sitbon raised to 5,800. Rafe Furst was in the small blind, and he reraised to 15,800, a raise of 10,000 chips. When action cames back to Sitbon, he re-reraised to 30,000, when the dealer informed him that it is not a legal raise. This drew immediate criticism from Furst, as well as Antonio Esfandiari and Evelyn Ng, who tried to explain that 30,000 was sufficient. The floor was called over, and it didn't exactly make things any more clear.

No fewer than 6 members of the staff became involved, as well as most of the players at the table, and even some of the onlookers in the media. A crowd of some 30 people gathered around the table, pressing in on the players and floor persons. The situation was explained and re-explained, and neither side seemed to understand the other. There were several different rulings made, none of which was satisfactory to everyone involved. This ordeal was going on for more than 10 minutes by this time, still without resolution.

"Come on guys, it's not rocket science. I don't care, I'm not in the pot... but you're wrong, just so you know," said Esfandiari. With the language barrier clouding the explanation, it was eventually decided that the raise had to be double the total amount bet, equaling 31,600. Finally, someone not of the staff came over and explained to the parties involved that this rule is different in France. It appears that according to French poker rules, a raise must equal double the total amount of the bet.

After receiving the final word, Sitbon did indeed put out 31,600 chips. Rafe Furst eyeballed his opponent's remaining chips -- about 50,000 -- before open-mucking {A-Hearts}