Unbelievable Set-Over-Set Showdown at Bally Live Poker
The word “legend” is thrown around so casually these days, from ancient tales of slaying dragons to modern-day heroes who bring back snacks from the break room. Its meaning often gets diluted. But when I call Phil Laak a legend, it’s not just a label, it’s a title he’s truly earned. A Few nights ago the legend sat down with Player L, YouTube poker vlogger Masato, and others for a high-stakes stream at Bally Live Poker. Let me say he was in a gambling mood and why not, poker does not always have to be serious.
First, let’s examine the largest pot of the night he played. Then, we’ll dive into an incredible set-over-set hand that took place earlier in the evening. Bally Live Poker streamed the action on their YouTube channel, featuring $25/$50 blinds with a $50 big blind ante (BBA).
Laak Raises to How Much?
After a Raise of $150 from player L ($18,000) on the button with 9
9
, Masato ($26,125) made the call in the big blind holding J8
. Phil ($3,875) being Phil did the extraordinary and 3-bet to $3,100 with Q10
, Double/triple up or rebuy was most likely his thinking. Phil’s play was far from standard and must have made Player L question what was going on, but in all likelihood, if Laak was strong surely he would raise less to try and get the action. “L’s” play; an iso Jam to push Masato out of the hand. He accomplished his mission and was a slight 54% to Laak’s 46% to win the $8,025 pot.
You could say the flop of K4A was favorable for player L, the clubs had taken away some of Laak’s outs with the clubs being dead to him. It wasn’t all doom and gloom for Phil, he had picked up a gutshot for Broadway. Neither player had yet turned over their hand, “Do you have a club?” joked Laak.
That’s a Pretty Good Card!
On the Turn J the hand swung heavily for Laak, he was now sat with the straight and only had to avoid the clubs.
And the River…. the Q. From looking unlikely to win after the unfavorable flop to scooping the $8k pot, what a legend 🙂 It really is great seeing him back, hopefully, his appearances will not be as sparse as they have been the last few years.
Incredible Set over Set
Tan ($21,350) got the ball rolling with a raise of $150 from the +1 with 33. In the cut-off Laak ($3,925) flicked in the chips with a suited Ace A7. Waiting in the big blind was JZ ($15,200) with an above-average hand, pocket Jacks JJ. He raised the pot to $650, and Tan quickly called to match the bet. Headsup to the flop, with $1,525 in the middle.
Queue the Fireworks!
Let’s be honest—poker can be a painful game. Few moments sting more than flopping a set, only to find yourself up against an even bigger set. Honestly, I think I’d rather take a wet soccer ball to the face than lose like that. Ok perhaps I’m being a little overdramatic, but you get the point.
Imagine being in Tan’s seat right now, looking at the flop of J34 while secretly licking your lips at the prospect of winning a huge pot. After JZ checked, Tan chucked out a small bet of $500. On this rainbow board, there’s no need to go too heavy. JZ agreed and made the call, Raising would be unnecessary (In this spot it really didn’t matter what he did).
After a little hollywooding, JZ checked after theK . Tan’s bet was a lot larger this time, $2,200 was pushed in the middle. His opponent reacted by raising it to $5,200 creating a pot of just under $10k. As you would expect in this spot, Tan jammed “all in” and after JZ made the call the pot stood at a collusus $30k!
There was no Lucky Three on the River, what a hand for the Bally live Debutante JZ. To see this hand and the rest of the stream check out the video below.
