The Muck: Bleznick Uses Time Extension Chips to Open Sports Card Box at $100k Final Table
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In case you didn't already know, Jared Bleznick really, and we mean really, loves sports cards. He loves them so much that he stalled play in the $100,000 buy-in Super High Roller Bowl PLO tournament on Wednesday for a box break.
Although "Blez" didn't break any rules by using time extension chips at the final table with four players remaining to open two boxes of Panini One and One basketball cards, not everyone was entertained, including his opponents and PokerGO commentator David Tuchman. But many viewers enjoyed the sideshow.
In our newest installment of The Muck, we share the poker community's take on whether Bleznick's actions were annoying or entertaining.
But, first, the video for you to view:
https://twitter.com/PokerGO/status/1714812231660257409
Strange Happenings at $100k Final Table
With four players remaining and $1.3 million to the winner, Stephen Chidwick raised and then the shortest stack, Isaac Kempton, moved all in. It was then Bleznick's turn to act, and although he had the chip lead at the time, he was unlikely to call the raise with a mediocre starting hand.
Instead of just tossing his cards into the muck, he announced he'd be using a time extension chip to bust open two expensive boxes of basketball cards.
"I like Jared Bleznick, but I think this is over the line," Tuchman said during the live stream.
Whether it was over the line or not, Bleznick ultimately went all the way, defeating the aforementioned Kempton and Chidwick, as well as Isaac Haxton, on his way to the title and $1,292,000.
2023 Super High Roller Bowl $100k PLO Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jared Bleznick | $1,292,000 |
| 2 | Isaac Haxton | $836,000 |
| 3 | Stephen Chidwick | $570,000 |
| 4 | Isaac Kempton | $418,000 |
| 5 | Aaron Katz | $304,000 |
| 6 | Frank Crivello | $228,000 |
Mixed Bag from Poker Community
Bleznick, who owns The Blez Sports Cards, professed his love for "sports cards" in a memorable post-game interview after winning a 2021 U.S. Poker Open tournament. Last year, he put a $1 million bounty on a coveted LeBron James 1-of-1 card. So, it shouldn't surprise anyone that he'd stall play during a poker tournament for a box break.
But did he, as Tuchman said, cross the line? Or, was it just some harmless fun that is good for the game? If X is any indication of the average poker fan's opinion, it appears there isn't a consensus.
"He knew exactly what he was doing as always, now it’s being talked about. Wizard advertisement," Thallo_Poker tweeted
"Chidwick low key was interested," @KerryKittles wrote.
"maybe silly, but it’s still fun to watch someone mess with the super pros that are totally void of any personality or charm. a lot of these guys are robots and have no humor or fun," @griffinbaugh argues.
"Awesome! Big love for the hobby!," an X user with a bunch of numbers in their handle said.
But it wasn't entertaining to everyone. Take, for example, these tweets:
https://twitter.com/CNasers/status/1714824262400270746
"These poker shows have really fallen off," an unimpressed @heyholetsgf posted.
"Am I the only one who thinks this sucks?" @TruthfulBurns asked.
"Auto penalty 2 rounds minimum... deplorable behavior... Why doesn't he rather put a bowl of pho on the table and finish it while using up the time banks," @navinbits suggests.
"And this is good for poker how? Man poker has gone downhill until they get rid of these robots and clown shows," @Thenaturalspod wonders.
