Situation In Tourney

[Poker Jack]

How would you rule in this situation?

Bet is 1600

Player to act throws in a 5000 chip, a 500 chip and a 100 chip (one motion!) without saying anything.
According to the rules, that would indicate a raise to 5600.
However, as the dealer, I am aware of the fact that this player doesn't have any 1000-chips left, and it is very common for players in this tournament to "help with the change", so-to-speak, making it very likely that this player simply wants to make sure he gets four 1000-chips back.

So, do I ignore everything I know and simply state "raise to 5600"? Or do I ask the player to clarify his intention, risking that other players dispute it on the basis that the action (raising) is binding?

I mean, it could play out like this:
Player does as described.
Dealer says: "Raise to 5600."
Player says: "No, wait! It's meant to be a call. I don't have any 1000-chips."
Dealer says: "Sorry, sir, but throwing in more than one chip without any verbal declaration is a raise."

Or, it could play out like this:
Dealer:"Is that a raise, sir?"
Player: "No, it's a call."
Other player: "No, it'S a raise!"
Discussion starts....

[William]

If it's the first time in the game, ask the player. He's clearly being considerate, why punish him for it?

Tell him next time to just throw in the 5000 chip, you'll make the change for him.

The One Chip rule is to speed things along, so you don't have to ask everytime a player throws in a single oversized chip. Never hurts to clarify this the first time it happens.

[Jambine]

.....Player to act throws in a 5000 chip, a 500 chip and a 100 chip (one motion!) without saying anything.
According to the rules, that would indicate a raise to 5600.....

That is correct.  Not really a gray area here, its a raise to 5600

[AzCat]

Should announce your call or raise.

[Martini]

If the player meant to do anything but bet 5600 then he's going to have to learn how to bet correctly either by verbalizing as AzCat describes, asking for change first before betting, using the (ugh) one chip rule, or whatever other options I haven't thought of off the top of my head.

Now how that lesson is administered is up to the TD. If it is truly a noob tourney where it is understood that people don't know the rules and exceptions will be made then *if* the action can be halted before any other action takes place then I can see a TD allowing clarification of the bet amount and explaining to everyone that betting in poker is not like paying for food at the store. You do not pay in a bill and exact change coinage to get some bills back. Otherwise, he's going to learn the hard way and have his wager of 5600 stick.

[Gobbs]

No question.  It's a raise.

KC

[72]

nothing was verbalized before he put the chips out? Raise!

[Gobbs]

Obvious intentions during vague actions can have meaning in some situations.  This is NOT one of those situations.  His  intentions were vague if he wanted change and his action was not vague (he put out three chips).  No doubt it is a raise.

KC

[bigstu]

3 chips!  (even two) Raise....

If he meant to call he will do this only 1 or two times til he learns to verbalize his bet....

[Martini]

3 chips!  (even two) Raise....
...

Actually...not exactly. Two chips under certain circumstances can be a call as well though I really don't care for that rule which is an extension of the one chip rule which I don't agree with either. See this thread (start at #39) for more discussion: http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/65/mttc-live/tournament-directors-association-summit-june-16-17-wsop-451163/index3.html

[Wedge Rock]

He can always throw in the 5k chip and help with the change on the back end (giving the dealer another 600 and getting 4x1k back).

Its a 4000 raise.

If he wants it to be a call, he needs to verbalize "Call" before he puts out three chips.