Poker Gods Aren't on Santichio's Side Today
Jorge Ribeiro was all-in preflop for about 22,000 from early position, with Antonio Santichio holding the covering stack and looking to send him to the rail from the small blind.
Jorge Ribeiro: J♦J♠
Antonio Santichio: A♠K♥
Santichio was the one out of his seat, despite Ribeiro being the player at risk. A tablemate quickly spotted the danger and warned Ribeiro, "Oh no, he's stood up."
The dealer spread the monotone 7♠3♠5♠ flop, giving Santichio even more ways to bring Ribeiro's tournament to an end.
Ribeiro decided to stand up himself, prompting another tablemate to ask, "Do you have a backpack?" The table clearly knew the hierarchy of poker superstitions, with the backpack trick capable of trumping the stand-up move and perhaps persuading the poker gods to spare Ribeiro from the rail.
Much to his disappointment, Ribeiro didn't have one. Fortunately, the poker gods were willing to overlook the technicality as the J♥4♦ completed the board, with the jack giving Ribeiro a set and a double-up to almost 50,000.