There Are No Friends in Poker

There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.

Well, except for the chance to move up in the money of the $5,000 Pot-limit Omaha championship at the World Series of Poker.

After being chopped down to less than two big blinds, Jake Liebeskind was desperate when the lengthy hand-for-hand play finally forced him all in. There were 115 players remaining in the tournament, but only 114 would cash.

To Liebeskind’s surprise, Tony Lin, who raises the pot an irrational percentage of times, folded under the gun.

Then, player after player after player, followed suit.

“Oh my God, this is the nicest table in the world,” Liebeskind said.

He spoke too soon.

When the action moved to Aaron Kupin on the button, he pushed forward a raise, meaning Liebeskind’s tournament life was at risk.

The two are friends. While waiting for the dealer to lay out the flop, Liebeskind even joked (sort of), that Kupin’s wedding gift would depend on the result of the hand.

Kupin is getting married next Valentine's Day. Presumably, one of his gifts will not be quite as nice as it could have been.

Kupin showed A♥10♣8♠7♥. Liebeskind had 9♦8♣3♦3♥, and led after a flop of 2♣K♦K♠ and the turn 9♠. However, the 10♥ on the river gave Kupin a bigger pair and sent Liebeskind to the rail as the last man out without a payday.