Anatomy of a Call
Friday, July 10, 2009 - Gene Bromberg
I was writing up my previous post when I overheard someone on Media Row say, “What’s going on over there?” I kept my eyes on the screen until I heard someone say, “That’s Hellmuth”.
My head jerked up and I looked dead ahead, at what could only be described as a mob scene, even for a Hellmuth table:
With spectators pressed five-deep and media reinforcements on the way I grabbed my camera and jogged over there, not that getting close to the action was an easy task, especially with the players about to go on break and the floor staff asking the fans to shoo:
I did an end-around, ducked under the ropes, tiptoed behind Phil Ivey, and found myself a perch where I could find out what was going on. And that’s when I saw that Phil Hellmuth was involved in a hand and a big ‘ol mess ‘o chips in the pot:
The scene threatened to spin out of control–fans were pushing the ropes forward, other spectators were trying to squeeze behind to get out of the Amazon Room, photographers and film crews were rushing to the scene, and there were a half-dozen floor staff and security guards apiece manning the table. I carved out a bit of space for myself and tried to figure out what was going on. What happened was Phil check-raised on the turn with the board reading 9s-10h-3d-Kd, his opponent called, and when the 3c came on the river Phil bet 15,000. His opponent then snap-shoved for around 105K. As PokerNews reported, Phil said “”What is this? What in the world? Where did you find that card?”
Phil deliberated over the situation for a long, long time, trying to get his opponent to reveal something, anything. “You bluffing?” Phil said. “I don’t think you’d move in with Aces. I feel like I have you.” But Phil still didn’t make a decision.
The other player’s head bobbed to whatever beat was coming from his iPod as Phil struggled to make his decision. I looked over at the clock–Phil had been deliberating for over four minutes, and I was late on the scene. “I’m sorry I’m thinking so long guys, but this is my whole World Series”.
Finally, after what PokerNews said “may have been the longest hand we’ve ever watched”, one they estimated took 15 minutes to play out, Phil announced his call. The mass of people pressed close as Phil flipped over Qh-Jh for the straight. But his opponent didn’t have the full house threatened by his all-in shove–he turned over As-Qd for a whole lotta nothing.
“Yes!!!!” Phil shouted, leaping out of his seat and walking back into a small alcove formed by one of the exit doors. He’d called for nearly his entire stack and survived to tell the tale–and win a 320,000 pot.
Still, it was a close call (no pun intended, I think) and it took Phil a moment to gather himself after surviving one of those brutal situations that make No-Limit Hold-Em the Cadillac of Poker.
And then it was back to the table to stack the chips won in that massive hand…and prepare for the hundreds, the thousands, that Phil hopes he’ll play over the next six days.
Related posts:
- That’s What We Call a Big Stack It’s a poker axiom that no chip lead is ever...
- More, Please Phil Hellmuth just cashed for the 71st time at the...
- Don’t Look Back, Someone Might Be Gaining on You I spent about 90 minutes watching the final table of...
- Anatomy of a Chop Split-pot games can be uniquely frustrating, as you be dealt...
- Play Nice So I was watching some of the $2,500 No-Limit Deuce...
Tags: 2009 world series of poker, 2009 wsop, Phil Hellmuth, ub, ultimatebet, world series of poker, world series ub, WSOP, wsop up
July 10th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
my reply is……….geez!!! it’s sooo hard to read anything on a black background. it really hurts the eyes. You should really consider changing. thx,d