One player to a hand is an important poker rule designed to promote fair play that is universally applied in casino play. It states that all game decisions about the play of each hand must be made by one player without assistance. This means, for example, that a player may not ask for advice from any other player or non-player during the play of the hand, nor should anyone offer such advice. The phrase is often used as a warning to players making what might be perceived as minor violations, such as commenting upon other players' possible hands.
Note that reading properly exposed hands of other players at showdown is not a violation of this rule, since no further decisions can be made. See Cards speak.
Famous quotes containing the words player and/or hand:
“If God had an agent, the world wouldn’t be built yet. It’d only be about Thursday.”
—Jerry Reynolds, Sacramento Kings’ player personnel director. Quoted in Newsweek (New York, November 25, 1991)
“Oh! shipmates! on the starboard hand of every woe, there is a sure delight; and the higher the top of that delight, than the bottom of the woe is deep.”
—Herman Melville (1819–1891)