Back-to-Back Two-Outers Eliminate Jaka From WSOP Super Main Event
It's Day 4 of the $25,000 WSOP Super Main Event, with the tournament playing down to its final table of eight.
The event has already seen its fair share of excitement, including incredible four-way action and crushing eliminations. But it might have seen its brutal one yet with Jaka Coaching's Faraz Jaka on the receiving end of the cruellest bad beat.
And with Martin Kabrhel in the commentary booth, there was always going to be popcorn...
Jaka's Brutal Elimination
With 13 players left in the Super Main Event, Faraz Jaka was sitting in the big blind, with a stack 57,500,000 — just under 20 big blinds. As reported by PokerNews reporter Connor Richards in the live updates, Jaka watched as Leonard Maue opened to 6,000,000 from the cutoff, with Jaka three-betting all in for his tournament life holding 9♦9♠
Unfortunately, Maue called with 10♥10♣ putting Jaka at risk and in a terrible spot. Even Kabrhel in the commentary booth wasn't holding out hope on a Jaka comeback.
"There is a mistake on the graphics," he joked. "Because [pocket] nines don't have 18% [equity] they have -2% to win the hand."
Jaka was indeed in trouble and got no help from the 5♠A♣3♣ flop. However, the 9♥ turn saw Jaka hit his two outer, and he jumped into the lead with a set.
"There is always the possibility that the ten is coming on the river"
"But wait!" said Kabrhel. "There is always the possibility that the ten is coming on the river."
"Good luck with that," replied fellow commentator Ali Nejad. "You want action?"
"You don't believe in fairytales?" said Kabrhel. "You don't believe?"
Well at least Maue believed, as Jaka's joy at turning a set was short-lived as the 10♠ landed on the river to give Maue a better set as the poker coach was sent to the rail.
The poker table was stunned, with tablemate Natasha Mercier's eyes wide in disbelief, and an equally incredulous Jean-Noel Thorel staring on in bemusement.
"NOT LIKE THAT!" screamed Kabrhel dejectedly in the booth. "Is this real life?! This must be Matrix. This is not real life. Unbelievable."
In an interview with Jeff Platt shortly after busting, Jaka said he had struggled over the day and saw his stack dwindle from the 32 big blinds he started the day with.
"I literally won't think about the money until probably two days from now"
"I couldn't get much going today," he told Platt. "I was definitely focusing on the spots that I knew well, so I've just been very process oriented through it [all]."
Jaka exited in 13th place for $520,000, but said he wouldn't be thinking about the money all that much.
"Honestly, I haven't even looked at how much the cashes are. I'm aware of where the jumps are, but I literally won't think about the money until probably two days from now. I'm sure I'll be happy with the score."
