Double Set, Double Draw, and a Needle Backdoor
Action began, as it often does, with a preflop raise, this one coming from Darrell Dolen, who made it 3,000 from early position. Eric Kotsines smooth called two doors down, and Daniel "Howie" Fanselow did the same from the hijack. The three went off to a flop and, as it turned out, it couldn't have been more perfectly curated for action.
As the 9♠5♥7♠ flop fanned out, Dolen continued for 6,000, Kotsines raised to 18,000, before Fanselow three-bet all in. Dolen called, covering both other players, and Kotsines put himself at risk, too.
Eric Kotsines: 9♦9♥ 
Daniel Fanselow: 5♠5♦
Darrell Dolen: A♠6♠
If the devil himself chose a flop for this hand, it would've been the one that gave top set to Kotsines, bottom set to Fanselow, as well as the nut flush draw and a gutshot to Dolen. Incredibly, Dolen went runner-runner two pair, yet still came last in the hand, unable to crack either set and having to pay out a huge portion of his stack. Somehow, nobody busted, but both he and Fanselow were left short, whereas Kotsines' chips now rose highest above the rail.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
238,000
208,000
|
208,000 |
|
23,000
85,000
|
85,000 |
|
20,000
80,000
|
80,000 |