I can definitely agree with the ruling that has been made and that everyone agrees on, but it is interesting because in Spence's previous thread not everyone agreed that a fold was binding at showdown:
http://www.pokertda.com/forum/index.php?topic=551.0. Anyways, I like Nick's note that he will always base his decision on protecting the non-offending player - I think that seems fair. In this light, I am fine with GG's other two rulings as well.
For discussion purposes, what about these other two situations:
3) Same as before, A throws his hand forward in a folding motion. B throws his hand in the muck. At that point, another player at the table says "wow, no one had a flush" (showing four hearts on the board). A says "oh wait, I had a heart" and flips over his "folded" cards showing the deuce of hearts.
4) Same as before, A throws his hand forward in a folding motion. This time, B actually flashes his cards, shows trips, and then throws his hand in the muck. At that point, another player at the table says "wow, no one had a flush" (showing four hearts on the board). A says "oh wait, I had a heart" and flips over his "folded" cards showing the deuce of hearts.
Based on the discussion in this thread, it would seem that A's hand should remain folded in 3). In 4) though, one can argue that it is important that the best hand win, so would you award the pot to A, thus penalizing B for actually showing his hand at showdown?