Hellmuth Making Laydowns
Phil Hellmuth's patient style of play has become synonymous with his burgeoning poker brand, as the "Poker Brat" has mastered the art of small ball poker.
He recently told his young opponent "I have a weird style ... it's like the anti-internet. I've read all your books, studied your moves, and its like Matrix Reloaded ... I just mix it all up on you."
Radoja simply smiled in response, but a recent hand showed that Hellmuth's ability to find the fold button may just be what separates him from the new generation of players raised on a steady diet of five-bet barrels and stone cold bluffs.
The action began with a preflop min-raise to 32,000 from Radoja which Hellmuth called. Before the flop of hit the table Hellmuth had already checked dark, prompting Radoja to fire a bet of 21,000 forward.
Checking in the dark once more, Hellmuth watched Radoja bet 61,000 after the dropped on the turn. He called to see the arrive on the river, and after a third check by Hellmuth, Radoja moved all-in for his last 163,000.
Hellmuth's pained expression suggested he had a piece of the board, but he mucked his cards and lived to fight another day, rather than play the hero and run face first into trip sevens or a rivered flush.
Player | Chips | Progress |
---|---|---|
Mark Radoja |
1,080,000
-35,000
|
-35,000 |
|
||
Phil Hellmuth |
840,000
35,000
|
35,000 |
|