Ruling please

[bobAlike]

Before I start I'd just like to say that I know what I did wrong by not keeping my eye on the game.
I'm not here complaining that I got knocked out by my bad play (I deserved it).
Just want an opinion on announcing your hand when 3 more players are still in a live pot.

I recently played in a freeze out tourney at a local casino.
Location irrelevant.
Buy in irrelevant.
2 to 3 hours into the game

4 players see the flop of A K J rainbow
SB bets 2000 (Loose Aggressive player)
BB calls after lots of deliberation (Loads of speech play)
I'm in seat 4 and I know that, with an all in raise (15K ish), I can get the SB and BB to pass.
I make the raise.
This is where I mess up. I didn't notice that there was a 4th player. In my defence I was tucked in right next to the rather large dealer.
The 4 th player pushes all in behind me (30k ish).

Now this is where my query starts.
Before the SB and BB decide to pass the 4th player announces he has the nuts. Now both players pass.
Cards are flipped over and 4th player shows Q 10.
I've got a weak As .
No miracles and I'm out.

The question is, can a player announce his hand when there are still 2 other live players without the fear of being warned/punished?
Personally, I think that it should not go unpunished.

Again not interested in raking over my bad play just on rules.
views please.

[Cf]

Yes, it is completely out of order.

From Robert's Rules:

POKER ETIQUETTE

The following actions are improper, and grounds for warning, suspending, or barring a violator:

Revealing the contents of a live hand in a multihanded pot before the betting is complete
Making statements or taking action that could unfairly influence the course of play, whether or not the offender is involved in the pot.


Also, in the section about tournaments it starts with:

SECTION 15 - TOURNAMENTS

By participating in a tournament, you agree to abide by the rules and behave in a courteous manner. A violator may be verbally warned, suspended from play for a specified length of time, or disqualified from the tournament. Chips from a disqualified participant will be removed from play. Players, whether in the hand or not, may not discuss the hands until the action is complete. Players are obligated to protect the other players in the tournament at all times. Discussing cards discarded or hand possibilities is not allowed. A penalty may be given for discussion of hands during the play.



He should definitely recieve a penalty after the hand.

[relaedgc]

By Grosvenor/GUKPT rules, all verbal announcements go. You can declare your hand. be it honestly or dishonestly. All moodies go, as most fondly put it.

[Grier78]

From a personal point of view I don't mind what players say as long as their not colluding.

[gatso]

this is another one of those one's where the answer is 'it depends'.

each venue has it's own rules on announcing your hand so in some places it's perfectly fine to announce your exact holding, in others you'll get a penalty and in some others your hand will be declared dead