Please Hold’em!

Date: 2004.03.01 | Category: Hand Of The Week | By: Phil Hellmuth   

In the $3,000 buy-in no limit Hold’em tournament at the World Series of Poker recently, I managed to win my ninth bracelet, which tied me with Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan for the all-time lead. $410,000, a WSOP Championship, and the all-time lead, oh happy day! I am still feeling really blessed and happy.

It was almost as smooth a sailing as it has ever been with me, except for when Erik Seidel started running me over like I was a Hyundai, and he a Mack truck. I would open for $8,000 – $15,000, and he would reraise me $30,000 to $50,000 more. Time and time again this happened, so that finally I decided to make a stand with A-J for his $50,000 raise.

But then, as I was about to move all-in, I thought better of it. I thought, “I know he has it this time, and if I move all-in he’s going to show me Q-Q. Patience Phil, patience; I know were down to $120,000 from over $400,000, but the blinds are only $2500-$5,000.” I kept thinking, Erik has nearly $800,000, but show them a hand, don’t panic, and you’ll still have a chance to win.