A Hand Matchup From The 2009 World Series of Poker

Outcome

Final table, six-handed, with the blinds at 12,000-24,000 and a 3,000 ante, Wilson raised to 55,000 from under the gun, Serock called in the big blind. On the flop, Serock checked, Wilson bet 80,000, Serock called. On the turn, Serock bet 180,000, Wilson called. On the river, Serock bet 525,000, Wilson called.

Analysis

Serock just called out of the small blind, both disguising the strength of his hand and keeping the pot small preflop. Wilson sized his bet beautifully on the flop, as it appeared he might be bluffing with a continuation play. Serock check-called with his gutshot-straight draw, with the possibility that his A-Q was ahead of a number of hands that Wilson could hold. Serock led out on the turn, hoping that if his opponent had been bluffing the flop that he would now go away. The bet also functioned as a semi-bluff, as he could improve to the straight, as well as a queen-high flush. Wilson enjoyed the higher flush draw and smooth-called. There was the possibility his opponent could be ahead, and his smooth-call also concealed the strength of his own hand. Serock missed on the river but led out with a large bet approaching the size of the pot on his busted draw. Both players exhibited great pot control and bet-sizing through the turn, while Serock made creative plays for the pot on the turn and river. Ultimately, Wilson's steady line and tendency toward pot control veiled the strength of his hand, encouraging his opponent to make a big bluff on the river, which netted him a big pot after all.