[jorpot]

Recently I've been playing some games online at poker.com. And it has the "Auto Muck" option. In a real game.. as in a live game in real life.. and i know i lost the hand.. If everyone shows their cards do i HAVE to show mine? I tried to just muck them once.. and someone flipped my cards over saying i had to show them.. so i wanted confirmation on what really is legal on mucking.

[chris]

The only time you HAVE to show your cards is when you were the bettor, and are called. If someone else bets and you call them, you do not need to show your cards if you lost.

[ThomasR]

Correct, and it's often food practice not to unless you have to. Just show them when advised as above, any other time throw them face down back to the dealer. It's nobody's business what you had, and you don't want to be giving it away what you will raise with, how far you will go with a bluff etc. This all lets players read you that bit easier, so don't do it.

Unless you're with friends anyway, it's a little tight being a stern poker player when you're playing for loose change with a few friends

[BigAl]

I'm sure you meant good practice there, ThomasR!

Indeed, don't show the cards unless you have to and as Chris said thats only if you bet and lost. Any callers can just muck their hands if they've lost. It's best to keep it this way to avoid your opponents reading you and getting a feel for what you will raise with, what you will call with etc. You should be reading other players like that, and making sure they can read you as little as possible.