Poker Hand Matchup: Joe Serock vs. Dan Smith

Outcome

Preflop, finale table, six handed, with the blinds at 20,000 and 40,000 and a 5,000 ante, Smith raised to 90,000 from the button, and Serock went all-in from the big blind.

Analysis

Serock realized his opponent on the button was the chip leader, giving Smith every reason to attack the blinds and open with a very wide range. Serock banked on this information, speculating his opponent was more than likely marginal and would have to fold to his all-in. Serock was the shortest stack among the remaining six players, but he was not quite desperate yet with his remaining 19 big blinds. His all-in play was inspired more by the dynamics of a chip leader pressuring the blinds from late position than from a sense of desperation. This being said, sometimes otherwise healthy stacks feel a sense of urgency when they are the shortest at the table. Smith knew his AJ was very strong in his range and that Serock would probably not expect such a hand under the circumstances, so he quickly called the all-in. Serock held live cards but was drawing dead by the turn, eliminated in 6th for $175,766.