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Written Version of This Episode

Event #12 $1,500 6-Max Payouts: 1st - $439K | 2nd - $293K | 3rd - $210K | 4th - $153K | 5th - $112K | 6th - $83K | 7th - 63K

 

HAND #1 (7 players left 100K/200K blinds - 200K BB ante)

Spasov raises to 400K from UTG w/ T♦ T♣. Dube folds K♦ Q♥ from UTG+1. Only Fan calls from BB with A♠ J♥.

(Stack size notes: Spasov has 8M chips and is in 5th. Dube has 9M chips and is in 3rd. Fan has 11.5M chips and is in 2nd. There is a very short stack with 1.3M chips.)

Flop J♣ T♠ 3♦. Fan checks. Spasov bets 350K. Fan calls.

Turn 3♥. Fan leads for 500K. Spasov calls.

River 2♦. Fan bets 850K. Spasov raises all-in for 4.45M. Fan calls.

 

HAND #2 (5 players left 150K/300K blinds - 300K BB ante)

Fan raises to 650K from the Button w/ A♣ 6♣. Spasov calls from the SB w/ 9♥ 8♥. Dube calls from the BB w/ 4♦ 2♦.

(Stack size notes: Fan has 8M chips and is in 3rd. Spasov has 21M in chips and is in 2nd. Dube has 6M in chips and is in 4th. The shortest stack has 3M chips.

Flop A♠ T♦ 5♠. Checks around.

Turn J♦. Spasov bets 1.1M. Dube folds his straight+flush draw. Fan calls.

River 8♣. Spasov bets 5.7M all-in (1.3x pot). Fan folds.

Watch the full final table at https://www.pokergo.com/

 

00:00 Introduction and Overview

02:52 Evaluating Ace-Jack in the Big Blind

04:54 Turn Play Strategy with Bluff Catchers

06:38 River Decisions and Stack Management

11:23 Hand 2: Ace-Ten Hand Analysis

19:12 Adjusting for Different Stack Sizes

25:36 Strategies for Final Table ICM Pressure

30:08 Conclusion and Future Episodes

In this episode of our poker strategy podcast, hosts Mike Brady and special guest Aaron Barone, a tournament poker pro and Upswing Poker coach, analyze two pivotal hands from a $1,500 buy-in six-max final table event at the World Series of Poker (WSOP). With over $400,000 on the line for the winner, they break down each street of these critical hands, providing insights on how to navigate high-pressure situations at the final table.

The podcast begins with a detailed examination of the first hand, featuring a tough decision by a player holding King-Queen offsuit under the gun. Aaron explains why three-betting or folding is generally preferable to flatting in this scenario, especially given the ICM (Independent Chip Model) pressure at the final table. The hosts also discuss the importance of understanding your opponent's range and the strategic implications of different betting decisions, such as how to disguise the strength of your hand and induce bluffs from opponents.

Next, Mike and Aaron move on to analyze a hand involving Ace-Jack in the big blind, facing a continuation bet on a tricky board. They debate the merits of flatting versus check-raising, considering the potential benefits of slow-playing top pair in a final table environment. Aaron emphasizes how ICM considerations drastically alter the optimal play compared to a Chip EV (Expected Value) scenario, guiding players to a more conservative approach to maximize their chance of winning significant pay jumps.

As they move through the analysis, the hosts explore advanced concepts such as leading with bluff catchers on certain turn cards, how board textures can impact betting strategy, and why sometimes small leads can induce bluffs or extract value from weaker hands. This poker strategy podcast episode is filled with practical takeaways on adjusting your play style based on stack sizes, opponent tendencies, and final table dynamics.

Tune in to this episode to learn from the pros as they break down these high-stakes WSOP hands and provide actionable insights to help elevate your poker game. Whether you're an experienced tournament grinder or just getting started, this poker strategy podcast offers valuable lessons on how to make the right moves under pressure.