Preflop Controversy Pays Off
John Morano opened the action to 1,000 from middle position, and received one caller before Keith Block threw in a three-bet to 5,600. Morano then placed in a small four-bet to 11,000, the original caller folded, and Block went for a five-bet to 28,000.
As the table waited to find out Morano's next action, he was ready to see a flop, and was extremely surprised when action was back on him, questioning how Block could have possibly raised, after his three-bet had been flatted. However, Morano had placed five 1,000 denomination chips into the middle, rather than the 100 chips that he was supposed to use.
The floor was called over, had the action recounted to them, and ruled that Morano had indeed three-bet, not called, despite Morano's pleas that he "didn't have a raising hand. Despite all this, and some more table talk, he picked up 17,000 more chips and played with them in his hand for a while, and called.
The two finally went off to a flop of 3♠J♠K♥ and Block fired a continuation-bet of 15,000. Morano took no time in shoving for around 20,000 more, and Block sigh-called. "Top two", announced Morano gleefully.
John Morano: K♦J♦ 
Keith Block: A♣A♠
The 2♦9♥ board came out clean for Morano, as he doubled up in the most bizarre fashion, and Block was left with peanuts after having his aces cracked.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
135,000
88,500
|
88,500 |
|
8,500
8,500
|
8,500 |