Poker Hand Matchup: Daniel Negreanu vs. Andrew Lichtenberger

Outcome

With the blinds at 10,000 and 20,000 and a 3,000 ante, Lichtenberger raised to 50,000 from late position. Negreanu called in late position. Freddy Deeb called in the big blind. On the flop Deeb bet 85,000. Lichtenberger and Negreanu called. On the turn Deeb checked, Lichtenberger checked, and Negreanu bet 205,000. Deeb folded, Lichtenberger went all in, and Negreanu called.

Analysis

Negreanu enjoyed very attractive pot odds in this multiway pot with his open ended straight draw, and even if Lichtenberger had submitted a standard raise over Deeb's lead out bet, Negreanu would have proceeded to the turn. Lichtenberger's check behind Deeb on the turn was somewhat unorthodox, with the nut flush redraw and an overpair on a straightening board many players would bet both for value and to protect their hand. Negreanu proceeded to build a pot after completing his straight, chasing Deeb out of the pot. Considering Negreanu's penchant for playing connecting middling cards, this was a scary board for Lichtenberger, but his backdoor flush redraw probably brought him some comfort as he pushed all-in hoping for the best. Negreanu briefly deliberated, showing Lichtenberger's raise some respect with the potential flush on board. But Negreanu was never going to fold, unknowingly torturing Lichtenberger a bit with a delayed call on a leading hand. Lichtenberger failed to catch another club on the river, and was eliminated in 14th for €47,000. These big pairs have failed to hold up for Lichtenberger in other deep runs as well. Negreanu eliminated a dangerous opponent and substantially bolstered his chip position as the final table approached.