Steven:
For example #1: As soon as all betting is complete, regardless of whether it is pre-flop or after the river, ALL hands must be turned face-up and the dealer must prevent hands from being mucked. There are several reasons, but IMHO the most important is to prevent chip dumping from one player to another.
For example #2: Each pot is awarded in reverse order in which they were created. Only the hands applicable to the pot be awarded should be turned face up. For example, You have players 1, 2, 3 and 4. Player 1 goes all in pre-flop, players 2, 3 and 4 call. The flop is dealt and player 2 goes all in, players 3 and 4 call. You now have two pots, the main pot with all four players involved and a side pot with only players 2, 3 and 4. Players 3 and 4 check the Turn and the river is dealt. Player 3 goes all in and player 4 calls. You now have 3 pots, the main with all 4 players, side pot #1 with players 2, 3 and 4 and side pot #2 with only players 3 and 4. As soon as player 4 called the all in of player 3 after the river was dealt, the dealer should have those two players, and only those two players turn their hole cards face up. Side pot #2 is awarded to the player with the best hand. Since both these players are involved with side pot #1, their hands remain face up on the table and the dealer tells player #2 to turn his hand face up. Side pot #1 is awarded to the best of the hands between players 2, 3 and 4, all three of these hands remain face up. Now you are at the main pot, the dealer tells player 1 to turn his hand face up. Instead the player tries to muck his hand, the dealer MUST prevent that hand from being mucked and it is turned face up. The main pot is awarded to the best hand of the four players. At no time in an all in situation should the dealer allow a hand to be mucked before it is turned face up.
Chet
