Strange But True

[kardmania]

Main Event St Louis WSOP Circuit, $5k buy-in, 27 players left, paying 12. Blinds are 800-1600. Average stack approx 60,000.

Joel Casper (very good player from Chicago) opens mid position for 4,000 and is called by Bryan (also very good player) on the Button. Joel and Bryan have similar, above average stacks in the 100,000 range.

Flop is A52 rainbow, check, check

Turn is an 8, Joel bets 6,000, Bryan calls.

River is a Ten. Board is A528T, no flush possible. Joel bets 10,000. Bryan, now very quietly announces "raise," and, as was his custom, puts only the 10,000 in first. Joel, wearing headphones, didn't hear the verbal "raise," and before Bryan could complete his action, rolls over AK, for top pair, top kicker. Joel is dismayed to find out that Bryan has not completed his action and that he has inadvertently exposed his hand with action pending.

The floor is brought over and after lengthy discussion, the ruling is that Bryan's raise declaration is valid and he can (must) now proceed with a raise of his choosing. Bryan immediately says "all-in." Joel is mortified, tanks a bit, then says "you're not really sick enough to bluff in this spot, are you?" and mucks his already tabled AK.

Question 1 -- Could you ever summon up the courage, chutzpah, or insanity to call a guy at this spot in a major tourney who has seen your hand?

Question 2 -- Bryan showed after Joel folded, what did Bryan show?



Answer to question to follow later this week

[LDJ]

Exactly why so many pros say no to headphones

I think he bluffed and rolled over AQ... although there's a small possibility he had AK

[pothole]

I suspect AK or a set, don't think he bluffed.

[LDJ]

I forgot to answer question 1... no I fold here in embarassment

[UIIIU]

lol this reminds me of a sucker home game play. altho the home game play on the river when someone is thinking of calling your bet (when your bluffing) and they say something like "i think i have to call" or "i cant see how i can fold" once the say this you flip your cards over quick, verbally announcing you have a very strong hand and half heartedly argue that the person said call or fold, but you got to make sure to cover your cards up with ur hands immediately after flipping. If done correctly almost ensures a win regardless of your hand but really can only be used once and you have to be a pretty good actor. scumbag move yes, but it definitely has the potential to put someone on tilt all night

[thejudge]

I have never been able to understand why people wear headphones while playing poker....I have music on quietly in the background but it doesn't stop me from concentrating on the game...but that's online ....not live games

[illphillllllll]

sounds like a perfectly executed bluff on a player who would be capable of laying down AK. against a amateur this wouldn't work but seems like the players prolly were familiar.

[LDJ]

and the answer is?

[thejudge]

Come on Kard post the answer....we've been waiting for over 2 weeks

[LDJ]

I had to hunt down the answer from another forum Kard posts at:





The Answer:

As a reminder we have a bet and all-in raise with A538T board, with AK exposed.

The correct answer from the initial correct responder MrHickey:


I am sticking with my call....by the way the 7 6 is suited...which is why he entered....he would have left on the flop to any bet. Caught the open ended straight draw so calls on the turn......and pulled a classic bluff on the river....aided by his opponent.

Well done Mr Hickey



Further Professional Analysis --

Joel outsmarts himself by checking tptk on the flop hoping for a check raise for sure. Bryan basically whiffed completely on the flop and is just giving up.

Joel now needs to get some money in the pot on the Turn, and bets 6K, but Bryan Turned open-ended and reasonably enough pays to see the River.

River is benign enough, so Joel puts in a solid value bet. Joel played the hand tricky enough that Bryan misjudges the strength of Joel's hand and I am convinced plans to go for a "standard" raise to say 25-30k knowing that A) it is the only way he can win the pot, and B) Joel will probably fold a weak Ace or something like QQ.

With the AK exposed, Bryan knows that Joel will pay off any standard raise and goes for the only winning play available -- all-in.

Some of you commented that Bryan moved in "immediately," but, remember, there was a several minute delay for a floor ruling. He had plenty of time to analyze.

I agree with those who said "why so much?" if you got AK beat why not milk him for at least 10k more which he could never resist. HOWEVER, thinking a level deeper, Joel could have sniffed out that the all-in portrayed weakness, not strength. So, Bryan COULD HAVE REVERSED on him and shoved with a winner.

Game Theory might suggest that the all-in, (from a good, thinking player) meant absolutely NOTHING in terms of hand strength. Therefore, how do you feel about tptk in this spot for your life.