Poker is truly a funny game. Sometimes things happen that leave you speechless, jumping for joy or infuriated. I believe this variability helps to make the game so exhilarating for all those who play. Sometimes however, it amazes even the most experienced players. In today’s hand of the week column, I’m going to discuss a hand I saw at my local $1-$2 no limit hold em game.

I always preach to get your money in when you are in a favorable situation. However, sometimes, no matter what you do, this just doesn’t work out. Someone my complete their open ended straight or catch that heart they needed for a flush. When this happens, its never pleasing when you lose but when someone is going for one of these hands, misses and till beats you, it can really take the wind out of your sails.

It seemed like a normal game at the card room. Very tough players, lots of action throughout the afternoon. Then the following hand came up. John, an aggressive player who had clearly gone on tilt was in early position and he called the blind. Charles, a tight and unorthodox player in middle position called as well. Jordan, an advanced player on the button makes it $12 to go. The small blind folds, the big blind calls as do John and Charles. There is $49 in the pot and 4 players.

The flop comes and its Jd-Ks-7d. It is checked around to Jordan who makes a pot sized bet of $50. The Big Blind folds and John thinks for a second and instantly goes all-in for his remaining $110. Charles looks at Jordan and calls as well. With the action back to him, Jordan re-raises his remaining $240 and he’s all-in as well. Charles goes into the tank and finally calls also.

There is $378 in the main pot and $260 in the side pot. The players flip over their cards and here’s what they have:

Jordan – Jc-Kc

Charles – Ad-6d

John – 8d-9d

Jordan flopped top two pair, John was on a inside straight draw which I imagine was his worst case scenario while Charles was on a nut flush draw.

Well…no more diamonds came on the turn or river, so you’d think Jordan won the pot right? Nope. The turn was the 6h and the river was the 6s giving Charles runner-runner to make trips and take out the pot.

I imagine if Jordan had lost to a flush, it would have been easier to take but the way it played out, what a horrible way to lose.

Until next time, may the chips fall your way.

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