Staying Cool When Short-Stacked: Dan Shak Talks Comebacks

Dan Shak

The $300,000 buy-in 2016 Super High Roller Bowl proved hugely captivating earlier this week, stealing the focus a bit from the kickoff of the 2016 World Series of Poker. An exciting four days' worth of poker culminated with Rainer Kempe outlasting Fedor Holz after an epic three-hour heads-up duel to win the event and $5 million first prize.

Players began with very deep stacks (250 big blinds' worth), which meant those who slipped early still had plenty of time to remain patient and mount a comeback.

One of those who found himself in that position was Dan Shak who at one point found himself down to just 67,000 during Level 11 (4,000/8,000/1,000). But Shak managed to climb out of that hole, going on to finish seventh and cash for $600,000, the eighth time in his career he's cashed in events sporting buy-ins of $100,000 or more.

As the money bubble approached, PokerNews' Sarah Herring spoke with Shak about the importance of maintaining focus and not letting adversity affect your decision-making in tournaments.

"It's easy to lose a little focus now and then and make a bad bluff or play a bad hand," explains Shak. "You just got to not let it get to you and pull yourself back together quickly."

From there Sarah alludes back to that earlier stretch when Shak became short-stacked, and Shak offers a few quick thoughts about not letting early setbacks affect you too greatly in tournaments. Take a look:

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  • After having the shortest stack early, Dan Shak came back to cash in the 2016 Super High Roller Bowl.

  • Keep your focus and don't give up after getting short-stacked early in tourneys, explains Dan Shak.

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