Stone Cold Bluff Turns into Betting for Value: High Stakes at HCL

Is there Justice in Poker? Dwan would say no after this River!

Last night’s high-stakes stream at Hustler Casino Live was billed as the “All-Star Game” and boy did it not disappoint. Let’s take a look at one of the night’s largest pots. As always the action was live streamed on Hustler Casino’s Live YouTube channel. Blinds had been reduced from last Wednesday to $50/$100.

The night’s first meaningful pot occurred around 2 hours and 15 minutes into the stream. Mariano ($143,925) known for his aggression, opened the action from the highjack with A6. In position, on the button, HCL co-founder Ryan Feldman ($241,775) wasted no time in 3-betting to $2,500 with AQ. In the small blind, Tom Dwan ($68,725) of old had returned. It was like we were back in 2009 all over again. He aggressively 4-betted it to $11,000 while holding K6. Those left to act folded, including Mariano, Ryan however, he was going nowhere, he made the call—Headsup to the flop, with $23,800 in the middle.

Dwan took the lead after a flop of 769, out of position how would he react after having a piece of the board? Checking was the play, leading Feldman to check too.

On the turn the board paired 9, which was a great card for Dwan, there was a strong possibility he had the best hand. This time Tom fired out a smallish bet of $6,300, which gave Feldman 5-1 on his money. He had no interest in taking the odds on offer though, he believed Dwan to be weak and chucked out a raise to $18,000.

Dwan was a Non-Believer

This was not the time for Dwan to fold, had his opponent been bluffing, was he capable of barreling the River? There was now an incredible $59,800 in play.

Ouch ouch ouch what a painful River Q for Dwan, his opponent had now picked up a pair of queens, worst still, he most likely would bet it for value too. That is indeed what he did, $22,000 was the bet Dwan was faced with.

The bet heavily looked like a value bet, was Feldman capable of making this bluff? Those are the questions Dwan was faced with. After a little thought, and looking a little disgruntled Dwan made the crying call. What a lucky river from Ryan, but fair play to him for getting the extra value on the river, creating a $103,800 pot.

Check out the video below to see the hand play out, and to watch the rest of the stream.