Lost in the heat of the World Series of Poker main event, two online poker giants squared off in one of the most intense heads-up poker battles in recent memory.
On July 6th, Linus Loeliger, also known as “LLinusLL0ve”, went head-to-head in a $100-$200 battle with no-limit hold’em cash game wizard Bjorn Li. Li is known more commonly as “asianflushie” on the virtual felt.
Unfortunately for Loeliger, he ended up getting battered on the day, losing an insane $188,300 while Li enjoyed a one-day win of over $240,000. Winning 12 stacks in a single day of $100-$200 heads-up is a remarkable feat.
Here was one of the most impactful hands during the day of carnage.
Li Picks Off Bluff With Second Pair
Loeliger raised to $500 on the button with Q♣4♣. Li three-bet to $2,000 with 7♥6♥ and Loeliger four-bet to $5,100. Li called.
The flop was K♠5♥3♣. Li checked and Loeliger bet $2,500. Li called.
The turn was the 7♠. Li checked and Loeliger bet $4,712. Li called.
The turn was the 5♦. Li checked and Loeliger went all in for $12,381.20 effective and Li called.
Li wins a pot worth $49,386.40.
CoinPoker Hand Analysis
Preflop action was very standard, as Loeliger should raise any suited queen from the small blind, while Li should three-bet any suited connector aside from three-deuce.
Loeliger correctly four-bet with Q-4 suited, as he could with junky hands like Q-2 suited, A-5 offsuit, and J-5 suited.
On the K♠5♥3♣ flop, a solver says Loeliger should bet his entire range for a small size. Li had an easy call, and could even raise this flop about one out of every eight times, according to the machine.
The 7♠ turn gave Li second pair and Loeliger a gutshot straight draw. The solver suggests that Loeliger should check or bet small on the turn. It wants to bet slightly more frequently, but it’s close to a 50-50 toss-up.
With Q♣4♣ specifically, a game theory optimal strategy preferred a check. Q-4 suited unblocked hands that continue like spade draws while blocking weak value hands that would call turn and fold river, like ace-four suited and five-four suited. Li had another easy call.
The river was where things get interesting.
When he decides to jam, Loeliger is representing either top pair or bluffs. He shouldn’t have that many hands by the river that still jam. Typically, he should be limited to pocket kings, pocket aces, A-K, A-5 offsuit, and bluffs.
Of all the hands to call with, Li has the trickiest combo. It’s essentially a coin flip whether to call off or not and he has to rely on his read and knowledge of his opponent.
If Loeliger has a couple more bluffs than he should, then Li should be more apt to click the “call” button. He clicked the button and won the $49,386.40 pot.
