Dave,
I would first like to comment on something you wrote on Reply #4: "Note that if the player had thrown in five 1K chips, or said "5,000" or said "raise", I would rule it a total of 5,000." If the Player did any of the above, the bet would be 6000, not 5000 unless he specifically said raise to 5000. Even when players say 5000 when they already have 1K in on a blind, there is still confusion without clarification. How many times have you heard players say, " raise...500" There are many times when we are unsure if he is raising a total of 500 or if he is increasing a 100 bet to a total of 500. Clarification is the only way to guarantee the intent of the bettor, whether calling or raising. Why don't we just make a rule that forces players to announce the total of every questionable bet?