button in SafariPoker Player Makes a Blatant Angle-Shoot Only to Chop the Pot
A poker player at The Lodge Card Club in Texas is taking some heat from viewers following what appeared to be a crazy angle-shoot during a livestreamed hand.
The pot, which reached $28,000, ended up in what could go down one of the most dramatic chops all year. It also has likely ruined the reputation of a player — known as Justin — who has appeared on Poker at the Lodge a handful of times.
What Was He Thinking?
Skull Mike, one of the regular commentators for the livestream at the Texas poker club, shared a video of the controversial hand. That video, which you can view below, quickly went viral.
The hand in question took place last week during a mid-stakes cash game at The Lodge, a popular poker room co-owned by Doug Polk, Brad Owen, and Andrew Neeme.
The board showed 8♠10♠10♦8♣ with $6,460 in the middle. San Kim, holding A♥9♠, bet $2,500. He received a call from Justin, who had A♦K♥. Neither player would improve on the 6♣ river card. So, this hand had a likelihood of ending in a chop unless one player could bluff the other off the pot.
Kim, the bigger stack, put his opponent to the test with an all-in bet of $8,700. Justin was in a tough spot, so he went into the tank. He announced, "I got to go anyway. I call," before moving his stack forward.
Kim then started to turn his cards over before Justin brought his stack back towards him, indicating he didn't intend to call. But the forward motion and "I call" declaration suggests otherwise.
Justin, however, denied verbally announcing a call, although the audio was clear. A floor manager was called over to the table to rule on the controversy, and he ruled that Justin was obligated to call. Both players showed their hands and they chopped the pot.
Skull Mike's video brought out some critical responses from the poker community.
"Good thing he didn't say anything binding and obvious like 'I call'" @gabe__irl sarcastically joked.
"What awful etiquette," @ForestContinent commented.
"Never seen such dirtbag behavior," @ekshredburger wrote.
The comments were harsh. It was a confusing lapse in judgment all for a chop pot.
