"Check-Back of the Tournament": Wheeler Avoids Disaster

Jason Wheeler had just finished telling a joke — "Monaco is so expensive even the dogs have nannies" — which he opined was "at least as good as one of Stapes'," when he opened to 90,000 from early position and was called by Nicola Grieco in the cutoff and Leonard Maue in the big blind.

Maue checked on the flop of A♣10♠2♠ and Wheeler continued for 110,000. Both opponents called. Maue checked again on the 7♥ turn and Wheeler sized up to 350,000. Grieco folded and Maue called.

Maue checked once more on the 7♦ river and Wheeler eyed his opponent before remarking "super nitty, but I'm not going to get set up" as he checked back and showed A♥10♣ for top two pair.

It was the right move as Maue tabled A♠7♠ for a rivered full house and Wheeler celebrated despite losing the pot.

"That's the check-back of the tournament," he said. "No one else in the tournament would ever make that fold. Good luck to all of you. Best I've ever felt."