Figuring out what the other player has in poker is a key to winning, but even more important is figuring out what the other player is trying to do. Are they just bluffing when they bet, or do they have the hand they are saying they do? Even the top pros can't always figure it out, especially when they are facing other top pros.
During one week of Poker After Dark some of the best players in the world were brought together to play. Phil Hellmuth, Doyle Brunson, T.J. Cloutier, Chris Ferguson, Layne Flack and Erik Seidel were there, although in this hand only the two players who had ten WSOP bracelets each got involved.
In this hand Doyle started out with a raise to $600 with:
... hoping to pick up the blinds. Phil called with pocket threes:
... and it was on to the flop.
The board cards came down as:
... and Doyle bet out $1,200. This suggested either a wheel draw or a set, but not a full house, as he would likely slow play such a big hand.
Phil stopped to think. "Do you, Doyle? Do you?" he vocalized, asking if Doyle had gotten either of those hands. He couldn't decide, and so he called. The turn came down:
... and this time Doyle checked. Phil bet out $1,000, Texas Dolly called. The river came down:
... and both players checked it down, passing the pot to the Poker Brat, who showed good instincts playing against Doyle.
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