Rock, A-K, and Aruba

Date: 2007.10.15 | Category: Hand Of The Week | By: Phil Hellmuth   

After being eliminated from the UltimateBet.com Aruba Classic, it was time to hit the beach, throw a party and play a few side games. Normally, when I’m eliminated from a big poker tournament, I’m looking for the next flight home. But the Aruba Classic is more of an event than it is a poker tournament, with the beaches, parties, casinos and nightclubs all within walking distance. One night, I sat down with Scott Ian (lead guitarist from Anthrax), Pearl Aday (lead singer of Mother Pearl), Serinda Swan (the “Absolute Poker” spokesperson as well as the new Guess Jeans model), and a few other friends. The blinds were $1-$2, and I was coaching Swan and Ian a bit as they sat to my left and right.

In one interesting hand, Swan picked up A-K, and I coached her to raise it up to $7 to go. Clarey and Player A both called, and the flop came down 10-7-6. I told Swan to bet out $20, which she did, with Clarey folding and Player A calling. The turn card was a 10, and Swan bet out $25. Player A called, but she was consulting with another player (she was getting advice during the hand as well), and Swan picked up on the conversation (more below). On the end a four came up, and Swan moved all-in for her last $55 (I didn’t coach her to make that play!). Player A studied for awhile and asked, “You’ll show me the hand afterwards, right?” Swan said, “Yes.” Player A showed an A-7 face up and folded. Swan then showed her A-K and now Player A said, “It’s on now, Serinda!”