Call or Fold These 2017 WSOP Main Event Final Table Hands?
From a starting field of 7,221, just three players are left in the 2017 World Series of Poker Main Event — Scott Blumstein, Dan Ott, and Benjamin Pollak.
Last night the number remaining was reduced from seven players to these three, with the 60 poker hands played once more providing a number of interesting decisions for the players. We've again picked three hands and three decision points for another round of "What Would You Do?"
Play along with one of the players in each hand. In each case tell what play you prefer — calling or folding — and share any additional thoughts you might have about the hands as well below.
Hand #85: Pocket Eights Versus Preflop Three-Bet
Players left: 7
Blinds/antes: 600,000/1,200,000/200,000
A little over an orbit into the final table's second night there were still seven players remaining. Blumstein continued to maintain a big chip advantage with 167.4 million, and Pollak was closest with 72.625 million. Meanwhile Ott (14.15 million) and Damian Salas (10.575 million) were the short stacks.
Pollak was dealt 8♥8♣ and raised to 2.8 million from early position, and it folded to Ott on the button. He thought a short while, then slid his stack of 13.95 million forward as an all-in reraise.
Pollak thought a long while. There was 19.95 million in the middle and it was 11.15 million to call.
Pollak chose to let his pocket eights go, conceding the pot. Ott, incidentally, had A♠Q♠.
Hand #101: King-High Straight on a Wet Board
Players left: 7
Blinds/antes: 800,000/1,600,000/200,000
After doubling up earlier with aces, John Hesp had 38.85 million when he opened for 3.5 million from the cutoff. Leader Blumstein had 159.45 million to start and he called from the button.
It folded to Pollak in the big blind who began the hand with 60.2 million. He looked down at J♦9♣ and called.
With 12.7 million in the pot, the flop came Q♦9♥9♦ giving Pollak trip nines, and he checked. Hesp continued for 5 million, then Blumstein raised to 12 million. Pollak asked how much Hesp had behind — "about 24-ish," said Hesp — then called, and after a while Hesp folded. Pot 41.7 million.
The turn brought the 10♦. Pollak still had trips, though now had added a straight flush draw. Both Blumstein and Pollak checked.
The river was the K♥. Blumstein sat quietly for a half-minute, then dug out a bet of 8 million (less than one-fifth of the pot). Pollak was back in the tank again.
Pollak reviewed the hand in his mind, saying "sick turn" a couple of times as he did.
"What are you on, Scott? Speak!" said Pollak at one point with a grin. "You're going to let me bluff you on national TV?" answered Blumstein, also smiling.
Finally after four minutes, Pollak said "you have it" and folded. He was right, as Blumstein held 10♠9♠ for a full house.
Hand #126: Tournament Life at Risk with Trips
Players left: 5
Blinds/antes: 1,000,000/2,000,000/300,000
After Salas fell in seventh then Bryan Piccioli in sixth, leader Blumstein (178.35 million) was open-raising again, this time for 4.2 million from the button.
Antoine Saout was third in chips with 36.2 million to start the hand, and being dealt K♣J♦ in the small blind he chose to call. Pollak folded from the big blind, and the flop came J♣6♣7♦.
With top pair Saout checked, and Blumstein checked behind. The turn then brought the 4♣, giving Saout a flush draw to go with his pair of jacks.
Saout checked again, Blumstein bet 5.6 million (a little under half the pot), and Saout called. That brought the pot to 23.1 million, leaving Saout 26.1 million behind.
The river was the J♥ making trips for Saout, and he checked one more time. Blumstein waited about 15 seconds, then announced he was all in.
Saout had a decision.
Saout thought about a minute before calling. Alas for him, Blumstein showed 5♠3♠ for a straight and Saout was out in fifth.
A little later Hesp went out in fourth, setting up one last day of poker to decide who will be the next WSOP Main Event champion. Play begins at 5:30 p.m. tonight — be sure to stick with PokerNews for reports of every hand until a winner is crowned.
