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So this recently happened at a home game - One player goes all in and the other two decide to check it down. Some called it collusion and some (including myself) thought it wasn't. However, I believe I was in the wrong.
Any reference to TDA or similar authority is appreciated.
I'll start this with one point as I often do with these type of question, it's a home game, please keep that in mind. Don't go ruining the fun for the majority, especially if it's a group of friends. If it's a home game with serious money, and a not just friends then sure enforce strict rules. In your case I'd just friendly let them know it's not fair to do that and in a casino or card club this would be considered collusion.
TDA rules are fairly clear on this. Two rules I can think of come to mind to me here.
67: No Disclosure. One Player to a Hand
Players must protect other players in the tournament at all times. Therefore players, whether in the hand or not, must not:
Discuss contents of live or mucked hands, Advise or criticize play at any time, Read a hand that hasn’t been tabled. One-player-to-a-hand is in effect. Among other things, this rule prohibit showing a hand to or discussing strategy with another player, advisor, or spectator.
69: Ethical Play
Poker is an individual game. Soft play will result in penalties, which may include chip forfeiture and/or disqualification. Chip dumping and other forms of collusion will result in disqualification.
So with the two above rules let's answer your questions.
To reach a verbal agreement I'd argue potentially. It's clearly in breach of the two rules mentioned above, if not collusion, it's absolutely bad etiquette, but it may not be from a point of view of they didn't know better rather than group play. I would view this as soft play and I'd lean on the side of a warning followed by a penalty if they do it again, but may be hard to enforce in a homegame.
Typically you're not allowed talk when multiple people are in the hand, and you're also not meant to talk about what you have. Heads-up you're allowed talk, but not declare things.
No, both rules apply here.
Hope that helps!
