James Carroll Beats the Clock

Level 2: 100-200, ante

James Carroll (croll103) raises to 500 from the hijack and the player in the big blind makes it 2,200 to go.  Carroll calls and they go heads-up to a flop of 952.  

Both players check and the player in the big blind bets 4,000 when the T falls on the turn.  Carroll calls and the river brings the 8.  The player in the big blind slides out 7,150 and Carroll asks how much his opponent is playing.

The other player lifts his arms, revealing 21,000 behind.  Carroll has him well-covered and announces he is all-in.  

The other player goes in the tank for several minutes, until some not involved in the hand calls the clock on him.  A floor person is dispatched to the table and begins to count down one minute.

Once the floorman gets to the final ten seconds, the player picks up his remaining chips and holds them in his hand.  Right as the floorman says, "one" and in the process of saying "dead," the player pitches his chips into the middle and claims he is calling.

There is a moment of hesitation, as everyone at the table, floorman included, is unsure what just happened.

"I call," the player assures the dealer.  The floorman rubs his forehead and starts to think.  He is leaning towards ruling it a call since it was very close, when Carroll begins to object.

"I think we need to check with another floorperson," Carroll suggests.

The floorman instructs Carroll and his opponent to leave their cards face down.  Another floorman comes over to assess the situation and it is decided that since the chips did not cross the betting line before the floorman started saying "dead," that it is a fold.  The player in the big blind tries to protest for a moment, but once the dealer pushes the pot Carroll's way, he gives up his cards and moves on to the next hand.

While Carroll did not show his hand, the players at surrounding tables are convinced he was bluffing since he adamantly protested the call.

"Nice life Croll," calls out Darryll Fish.

James Carroll - 64,000