Poker Hand Matchup: Phil Hellmuth vs. Jason Mercier
Phil Hellmuth	Win Pre-Flop	Win Post-Flop	Win Post-Turn
Starting Stack: 3,375,000	37.38 %	22.63 %	29.55 %	Winner!
Jason Mercier	Win Pre-Flop	Win Post-Flop	Win Post-Turn
Starting Stack: 1,237,000	61.94 %	77.37 %	70.45 %

Posted On: Nov 05, 2012

Outcome

the blinds at 12,000 and 24,000 and a 4,000 ante, Mercier raised to 48,000 from the cutoff seat, Hellmuth called in the big blind. On the Flop, Hellmuth checked, Mercier checked. On the Turn, Hellmuth bet 75,000, Mercier raised to 192,000, Hellmuth called. On the River, Hellmuth checked, Mercier bet 263,000, Hellmuth called.

Analysis

Hellmuth defended his blind with attractive pot odds from Mercier’s min-raise, taking a flop with his suited middling cards. Hellmuth flopped bottom pair, while Mercier submitted a deceptive check behind with top. Hellmuth led out on the turn once he picked up a four-flush, but Mercier was ready with a raise. Hellmuth pursued his combination draw looking for a Club, Six or Nine and outdrew Mercier on the river with trips. Hellmuth risked missing value with his check, but Mercier continued to build a pot expecting a winner. Hellmuth must have sensed strength as he elected to only check-call, apparently wary of a full house with an excess of caution as there were no straights or flushes available on that board and his trip sixes were well disguised. Still Hellmuth put a large dent in a dangerous opponent’s stack as Mercier lost 40% of his chips on the hand. Mercier ultimately finished in 8th for €84,672.