I've always found Rule #51 peculiar - not quite a rule, but rather a dealer procedure. Also, Rule #37 could be more clear with a little bit of work.
Here are the existing 2015 rules:
37: Methods of Betting: Verbal and Chips
A: Bets are by verbal declaration and/or pushing out chips. If a player does both, whichever is first defines the bet. If simultaneous, a clear and reasonable verbal declaration takes precedence, otherwise the chips play.
B: Verbal declarations may be general (“call”, “raise”), a specific amount only (“one thousand”) or both (“raise, one thousand”).
C: For all betting rules, declaring a specific amount only is the same as silently pushing out an equal amount. Ex: Declaring “two hundred” is the same as silently pushing out 200 in chips.
51: String Bets and Raises
Dealers will call string bets and raises.
Perhaps something similar to the following would help #37 and eliminate #51.
Proposed 2017 wording - #37: Methods of Betting and Raising
A: Bets and raises can be made verbally by declaring both, an action and an amount. For example: “Raise, two hundred.”
B: Bets and raises can be made silently by pushing chips totaling the amount in a single forward motion. For example: “Silently pushing two chips forward that total two hundred.”
C: Declaring simply either, “bet” or “raise,” is an incomplete bet. A complete bet includes an amount. To complete an otherwise incomplete verbal “bet” or “raise,” a player can push chips forward, in a single motion, for the total amount. Optionally, to complete an incomplete verbal “raise”, a player may first push chips exactly equal to the calling amount, and then follow with a second push of chips, representing the total amount of the raise.
D: Except as allowed above, pushing chips in multiple forward motions is an illegal string-bet. Dealers will call string-bets.
E: If an amount of a verbal declaration conflicts with an amount of simultaneously pushed chips, the verbal declaration takes precedence, provided it was clear and reasonable. Otherwise, the amount of chips pushed will determine the actual bet or raise.
What are your thoughts?
Regards,
B~