button in SafariGTO Wizard Analysis: Jason Koon’s Massive €250K SHR Bluff
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When two of the world's absolute elite clash in the €250K Super High Roller at EPT Monte-Carlo, you can guarantee a masterclass in high-stakes poker strategy.
In this hand, Ben Heath picks up pocket kings, only to find himself navigating a minefield of a board against PokerStars Ambassador Jason Koon.
After a barrage of post-flop aggression from Koon, Heath is forced into a decision on the turn with his overpair. But was he correct? Let’s dive into the hand history step-by-step and see if these world-class decisions are truly GTO Wizard Approved.
Hand History
It's Day 1 of the €250,000 Super High Roller with an elite field present. Blinds are 1,000/2,000 with a 2,000 big blind ante.
Stack Sizes and Positions
- Ben Heath (HJ): 222.5K (111bb)
- Jason Koon (BB): 299K (149.5bb)
In the hijack, Heath opens to 5,000 with K♠K♦ and Koon defends his big blind with 10♦7♦. The flop caomes 9♦6♥5♦. Koon checks and with 13,000 in the pot, Heath continues for 6,500.
Koon then check-raises to 23,000 and heath calls. The turn 6♠ pairs the board. Koon bets the size of the pot (59,000) and Heath uses a time bank before folding.
What a play by Jason Koon, showing once again why he is regarded as one of the best players in the world. But was Heath’s turn fold correct according to the solver? Let’s use GTO Wizard to find out.
Pre-flop Analysis
Heath's open to 5,000 from the hijack is GTO approved.
As is Koon's defending of his big blind with 10♦7♦.
So far so good, with both players make standard preflop plays in this spot.
Post-flop Analysis
Koon checks the 9♦6♥5♦ flop. This is also GTO approved.
Recommended Strategy and EV for T7s:
As you can see, the solver uses a small amount of donk-betting here, including some bets with 10♦7♦. However, checking produces the highest EV overall, as the HJ range still holds the range advantage on this flop.
Flop Range Comparison (BB vs HJ):
Heath c-bets to 6,500 with K♠K♦. GTO Approved ✔️
Recommended Strategy and EV for KK:
Due to holding the range advantage, while the big blind still contains many strong “good hands” on this board, the hijack prefers using a larger 50% sizing rather than a smaller one. This allows the hijack to extract more value with the top of range while also gaining additional protection.
This is why hands such as 10x10x and JxJx bet more frequently than AxAx and KxKx, as they require more protection on this type of flop texture.
Koon raises to 23,000 with 10♦7♦. GTO Approved ✔️
Recommended Strategy and EV for T7s:
It is no surprise that Koon, regarded by many as the best player in the world, finds the pure raise here with 10x7x suited, while also selecting the correct sizing.
Heath calls the 23,000 raise with with K♠K♦. GTO Approved ✔️
KK is a pure call vs this flop raise. No overpairs or strong made hands better than second pair are folding vs this sizing.
On the 6♠ turn, Koon bets 59,000 which is the size of the pot.GTO Approved ✔️
Recommended Strategy and EV for T7s:
Koon continues betting, which the solver also recommends alongside checking, with both options generating identical EV.
Heath folds to the 59,000 bet with with K♠K♦. GTO Approved ✔️
Recommended Strategy and EV for KK:
Heath’s fold with KxKx just about qualifies as solver-approved, as this specific combo is folded at a very low frequency. However, calling remains the highest EV option across all KxKx combos, with the fold only losing 0.01bb overall.
Let’s compare the ranges on this turn card to understand why.
Turn Range Comparison (BB vs HJ):
This turn card now shifts everything in favour of the BB’s range. The BB now holds the significant EV, equity, and EQR advantages, while also containing all of the strongest hands. This is why some KK combos begin folding vs the turn bet.
Key Takeaways
- The hijack holds the range advantage on the flop, allowing for a large 50% c-bet strategy due to many value hands requiring protection on such a wet board texture.
- Hands such as 10x10x and JxJx require more protection on this board and therefore bet more frequently than AxAx and KxKx.
- 10♦7♦ is a pure raise on the flop, with Jason Koon also selecting the correct sizing according to the solver.
- KxKx is a pure continue vs the flop raise, as no strong overpairs are folding in this spot.
- On the turn, both betting and checking with 10♦7♦ generate identical EV.
- Although Heath’s fold with KxKx is mixed in at a very low frequency, calling remains the highest EV play overall.
- The turn card massively shifts the EV, equity, and EQR advantages towards the BB, while also giving the BB all of the strongest hands in the range.
WATCH: The full hand is available by clicking on this link (1:26:00). Please note, the video may not be available in you country.
