Poker After Dark - Gavin Gains Ground

  During season three of NBC's hit poker show, Poker After Dark, Sam Grizzle, Phil Hellmuth, Shawn Sheikhan, Jean-Robert Bellande, Mike Matusow, and Gavin Smith were all still at the table on day three of Hecklers' Week. Each had a different playing style and all were confrontational players, although Smith just barely. The only other time Gavin was on Poker After Dark he won, and he was working quietly to pull a repeat performance.  In this hand, as new host Marianela Pereyra looked on, Smith called the $300 cash to play while holding: ... Sam, with ducks, called with: ... from the small blind, and Robert checked his option holding: ... The flop hit: ... and Sam checked his ducks, hoping for a walk to the turn, but Robert bet on his mid pair to the tune of $600. Smith called with bottom, Sam folded, and it was time for the turn. The turn hit: ... making a nice two pair for Smith. When Robert checked, Gavin bet out $1,500, which was enough heat for Bellande to get out of the kitchen - and the pot. This was not the first time that Smith crept into a winning position, mostly by keeping a low profile. With Phil Hellmuth at the table claiming the manipulation of the rest of the players' game, Gavin was doing it without announcing.