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 he Guardian Poker Column |
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| Victoria
Coren |
| Wed 20 Jan 2010 |
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An amazing heads-up moment
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The
2010 PCA tournament was won last week by Harrison Gimbel of California, beating
Tyler Reiman into second place. Here is an amazing hand from the heads-up,
which might make Reiman kick himself for years.
Gimbel had around 30m
in chips and Reiman had around 15m. Blinds were 80K-160K. From the button,
Reiman raised to 520,000 with 7 8 and Gimbel called with A 4 . The flop came 5 6 4. Gimbel checked. Reiman made a fishy 630,000
bet with the nuts and Gimbel called with bottom pair. On the hook! |
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The turn was 10. Gimbel
checked again. No more messing about for Reiman, who bet 1.8m. Gimbel called.
The river was 7, bringing a possible flush. Gimbel checked for a third time and
Reiman bet 4.2m. Gimbel declared himself all in. Quickly, and face-up, Reiman
folded his straight. Hook dropped! Fish released!
Rested, neutral and
knowing the cards, one must beware criticising players who have grafted through
six days of poker to reach the final spots. But I can't help disliking Gimbel's
call on the turn, and I hate Reiman's play on the river. The fold is too fast.
Why not pause to consider: with a flush draw and 2/1 chip lead, wouldn't Gimbel
have raised earlier? Secondly, it is always unwise to pass face-up and give
free information. Most importantly, if Reiman was going to fold for a raise, he
should never have bet a third of his chips.
Rumour has it that Reiman
cried when he heard later about the bluff. He took $1.75m for second place,
making some great plays on route, so it won't kill him. But whatever Gimbel's
hand had been, Reiman must know: having built such a huge pot, holding a
straight, heads-up, he should have bitten the bullet and made the call.
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