In my book, "Scared money don't win"
Friendly fire or not, if a challenger brings up money to a pot, then pluck down punk out money or as they say in professional terms, a kill fee.

They are stringing you for a mind $*ck so that when it comes down to some sought of race, you are so pent up and vexed that your concentration is off on some soap opera mode. Classic tactics.

Divorce! Pleeeeasse.

Around these parts it's put up or shut up. Talk a mean walk only when your car is ready to run all the way to the Amen corner.
A gun slinger would never call some one out till there piece is in the holster and loaded.