Ok, I had replied to the other thread. (now deleted and pasted here lol )
After reading everything in the old thread, im still a bit stuck as to what the rule should be.
Darvin Moon checked behind in position holding the nuts during this years wsop main event. His reason was he knew he wouldnt get called, so he checked behind to see the other guys hand. For me this a valid reason for checking behind. He is playing a big pot with plenty of action, surely getting to see his oppenents hand here is more valuable to him? Especially when he thinks he wont get called. He got a 1 hand penalty for this.
So if theres a rule that states players MAY receive a penalty for soft play, his reply will become the most common used by experienced players as a 1 hand penalty doesnt mean much ( you miss more running to the toilet).
Regarding the replies where its suggested the player must bet a significant % of the pot, I disagree. They could bet small crying for a call, or to induce a raise. So to have a rule like this would be very hard to police.
So the hardest part for me is deciding whether or not is is soft play, or did they have genuine reason for their action, ie wanting to see their oppenents hand, or to induce a rasie etc. Again, if the players are allowed to check behind to see their oppenents hand, or to bet the minimum to induce a bluff, then there cant be a rule for checking the nuts in position.
Just to confuse things further, if its a satelite and its on the bubble and a player was to check behind with the nuts, this would be soft play and worthy of a penalty. Because checking behind to see his hand would be of far less value than in normal tournament play.
A very hard rule to get worded correctly.